Flying Gecko
20 Facts about the Flying Gecko
How much do you really know about the flying gecko? Although the gecko has become increasingly popular due to the car insurance commercials, the flying gecko is actually a very complicated reptile. Below are 20 fascinating facts that you may or may not have known about him.
1. An adult can reach up to 8 inches in total length, although they are only around 2 inches in length when they are born.
2. The flying gecko originates from the tropical and sub-tropical regions of southern Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Brunei, and the Nicobar islands. They can also be found around neighboring islands as well.
3. They prefer to live in places that are dark and damp. Their natural habitats tend to experience monsoons and heavy humidity, which is something to keep in mind if you are keeping one as a pet.
4. Their skin folds on their limbs and flanks help them glide through the air, which gives them the look of flying. Although they don’t really fly, they are able to glide from one object to the next, such as tree branches.
5. They are able to blend in well with their environment and camouflage themselves since when they press against trees they do not cast any shadows and can resemble tree bark.
6. They are very quick and considered to be escape artists, which should also be taken into consideration if you are planning on keeping one as a pet. It is also difficult to hold them since they can easily escape from your hands and slip between your fingers.
7. For the most part, they hunt their prey in the evening hours even though they are not completely nocturnal.
8. If keeping them in a cage, it’s best to keep a pair-one each of the opposite sex. Males and females can be aggressive when kept with members of their own sex.
9. They do not like to be handled and will bite if they feel threatened, although their bites are not necessarily painful. Children should be supervised by adults, however, if they handle them.
10. Although they like surroundings that are hot and wet, they aren’t particularly fond of very bright light. They will go to light sources, however, because light tends to draw out the kinds of insects that they prefer to eat.
11. They prefer prey that is fast moving so that they can chase them. For that reason, using crickets is desired above caterpillars when feeding your flying gecko. Roaches are also a good gecko food. When kept in captivity, powdering their food with vitamins and minerals is recommended.
12. Breeding usually happens during the spring and summertime. The males are very dominant and sometimes injure the females so they must be monitored when keeping them in your home.
13. The gecko is basically a lizard and belongs to the reptile family.
14. They are able to shed their skin one piece.
15. They use their tongues to test objects.
16. They have adhesive pads on their toes which enable them to be great climbers.
17. Calcium deposits are located under their necks. The deposits have calcium carbonate in them.
18. In order to communicate, a gecko will stand on its hind legs and wiggle its tails. They also use chirping noises to communicate as well.
19. They are the only reptiles that can use their voice to make communicative sounds. While other reptiles are able to hiss, for example, the geckos are also able to chirp.
20. The flying gecko is also referred to as the “thick-fingered gecko” sometimes.