Geckos are small reptiles classified as lizards. They belong to a classification of lizards called gekkota. Most geckos are found in the warm climate areas all over the world. Geckos are spread all over across the world and have different sizes ranging from 1.6 cm to about two feet long (60 cm). Geckos can be easily identified through their unique vocalizations.
Scientific classification
The geckos are classified under kingdom animalia. The phylum chordata, classified as reptiles and the order reptilian. Furthermore, geckos are classified under a sub-order called squamata and an infra-order named gekkota. Generally, geckos are mistaken for other lizards because of their coloration or size.
Physical attributes
Geckos are found in various sizes and colors. They are the variant based on their species and location. Scientists argues that there are over 1500 species of geckos worldwide. The geckos have different colors such as green, blue, red, black or a mixture of several colors. Lizards are also known to camouflage themselves to hide from predators and for adaptation purposes. Like other reptiles, most lizards, apart from the eublepharidae, lack eyelids. They have an eye membrane to help in cleaning and protecting the eye.
Geckos lick the eye membrane to clean it. The nocturnal gecko species have perfect vision at night. As a defense adaptation, geckos can easily lose their tails through autonomy. They also have toe pads to help in climbing smooth surfaces such as ceilings. House geckos are found in homes and live on walls and cracks.
Most geckos are nocturnal and very effective climbers. They are mostly nocturnal. Furthermore, geckos are insectivorous because they feed on small insects and other small animals. They climb down from where they live on trees or walls and hunt on the ground. They have sticky tongues to capture prey.
History
The history of geckos dates back thousands of years. Evolution experts argue that geckos were relatives to other reptiles such as crocodiles, monitor lizards and small lizards. They evolved based on their geographical locations, becoming camouflaging and climbing animals for protection purposes. Most geckos live in mountainous areas where they hide under rocks or crevices.
In the human environment, geckos are perceived to be a nuisance and even pests. They are killed through pest control. Furthermore, they have been killed by cats and other predators to a point where their numbers have dropped drastically. Animal right activists have been advocating for the protection of these lovely reptiles.
Lizards are tourist attractions in many areas around the world. For instance, most counties near the equator, where there is warm weather all year have many lizards. Tourists visit these nations to view, study and even hunt geckos. Geckos have an interesting history with some species already extinct. There are some whose remains are stored in museums because there are no longer existing.
Protection
Animal right activists and other animal welfare bodies have taken the initiative of ensuring that geckos are protected and their numbers maintained. They remain important animals in the food chain and ecosystems. People have also started keeping geckos as pets as a way of ensuring that these animals remain protected. There are many people who still have mythical beliefs about geckos; some believe they are divine while others believe they are a sign of bad luck.
Conclusion
Geckos are small reptiles found in many are around the world. They are found in different colors based on their adaptation to their environments. There are over 1500 kinds of geckos around the world. The geckos vary in size and their physical attributes are similar to those of other small reptiles. They live in cracks and under rocks and their padded feet enable them to climb easily. Most gecko species are nocturnal. Recently, people have started protecting gecko and even keeping them as pets.
Works Cited
Bartlett, Patricia Pope. Geckos: Everything About Selection, Care, Nutrition, Diseases, Breeding, and Behavior. New York: Barron's Educational Series, 1995.
Craats, Rennay. My Pet Gecko. Munich: Weigl Publishers, Incorporated, 2009.
Giancamilli, Vanessa. Gecko Gathering. New York: Soundprints, 2004.
