Types Of Geckos

Facts about Different Types of Geckos

There are thousands of different types of geckos found all over the world.

Geckos are unique, usually small lizards from the Gekkonidae family. There are over 600 different species of geckos and they are found in almost all of the warm climates all over the world. The physiological and behavioral characteristics of geckos vary greatly and are directly related to the habitat in which they live.

Some species are incredibly bright colored and others are extremely camouflaged. Some are diurnal and others are nocturnal. The diet of each species of gecko is also tied to the habitat where they thrive; some geckos are complete insectivores while others may include meat or herbaceous material in their diet.

Almost all species of geckos have no eyelids, but a transparent film that can be cleaned by the lizard’s tongue provides protection for the eye. Geckos that are fond of nocturnal feeding conditions often have eyes designed for nocturnal sight.

One of the extremely interesting features of some types of geckos is extremely sticky foot pads that allow them to stick to any smooth surface. Humans are still not 100% sure what allows certain types of geckos to do this, but there is a theory that is readily accepted by most scientists. It is thought that the gecko uses something referred to as Van de Waals force, where each toe pad has hundreds of extremely fine hair like setae, that can bind with different surface structures. Other types of geckos may lack sticky toe pads but have sharp claws that aid in climbing over rougher objects.

Geckos are also the only lizard that can vocalize, and some species can communicate through chirping noises and sounds. Specific species of geckos can perform a defense mechanism called autotomy - the ability to lose their tail during times of stress. This keeps their predator busy while the main body of the gecko can escape. These geckos can regrow their tails. Often, geckos will defecate or release a musty smell when stressed to aid in their escape.

Geckos may be found in many different tropical regions all over the world. Some examples of tropical geckos are:

Madagascar Day gecko

New Caledonian Giant gecko

Tokay gecko

Chameleon gecko

Leaf-tailed gecko

These geckos often invade human homes in tropical environments, and because they can eat unwanted household pests they are sometimes even welcomed.

Certain gecko species are better adapted to drier desert like environments and may have special adaptations to allow them to survive. Examples of some common desert species of geckos are:

Leopard gecko

Western Banded gecko

Fat-Tailed gecko

Central American Banded gecko

Many types of geckos make excellent pets for people interested in reptiles. There are geckos that range from easy to keep as pets, to species that can be quite a challenge for even advanced herpetologists.

Desert species of geckos, especially the Leopard and Banded geckos make wonderful pets for beginners and children. They can live quite comfortably in a glass aquarium and feast on easily procured insects from pet stores. They also have gentle personalities and can be handled. Tropical species of geckos and some of the more aggressive species make challenging pets for those serious keepers who want to add to a collection. Tropical tank setups, often called vivariums, are beautiful and functional and a tropical gecko can really add to the excitement.

Geckos are important biological members of the Earth’s ecosystems. They control insect populations all over the world and in turn provide food for a vast array of predators. They are among some of the most interesting specimens of the reptile world.