Geckos are small, primarily carnivorous reptiles that lay eggs in pairs rather than clutches. They are popular pets because they are small, easy to care for, and unique. In fact, they warrant an entire list dedicated to interesting factoids about them.
To learn 43 fascinating and fun facts about geckos, read on!
The 43 Gecko Facts
The 14 Facts About Gecko Anatomy
1. Geckos have sticky fingers.
These enable them to stick to any surface,1 as long as it’s not Teflon.
2. Tiny hairs are what cause them to stick.
Even though geckos’ sticky fingers look like they are covered in glue, they actually have microscopic hairs.
3. They have light sensitivities.
Geckos’ eyes are incredibly sensitive to light. In fact, they are 350 times more sensitive than human eyes.2
4. Geckos can detect colors in various settings.
Geckos can distinguish between colors even when there is so little light that humans are essentially colorblind.3
5. Most geckos do not have eyelids.
Even though geckos have excellent eyesight, most do not have eyelids.4 Instead, they use their tongues to clean off their eyes.
6. They can make sounds when they want to.
Geckos have the ability to vocalize,5 such as by making clicks, barks, and chirps, but they tend to be quiet.
7. Not all geckos have legs.
There are some species that have no legs and almost look like snakes.6 However, they are different from snakes in that they can vocalize and detect different tones that snakes cannot.
8. Some geckos can glide through the air.
Some species of geckos have flaps of skin around their feet and tails to glide through the air.
9. The smallest gecko is tinier than some bugs!
The smallest gecko is not even 2 centimeters long.7 They’re native to the Dominican Republic and Beata Island.
10. Geckos are the smallest lizards.
The two smallest geckos are also the smallest types of lizards.
11. Scientists can easily determine if a gecko is diurnal or nocturnal by looking at their pupils.
Nocturnal geckos have vertical pupils, whereas diurnal geckos have round pupils.8
12. Light can pass through their ear canals.
If you shine a flashlight through one of a gecko’s ears, the light will continue through the other ear.9
13. Geckos shed their skin frequently.
Some species shed their skin as frequently as every 2 weeks.
14. Geckos can replace their teeth.
Geckos can replace all 100 teeth in 3 to 4 months.
The 5 Facts About Gecko Reproduction
15. They make noise for a few reasons.
Even though geckos primarily make noise to defend their territory, they also click to attract a mate.
16. The gestation period can be long.
A female gecko can be pregnant for years before laying her eggs.
17. Eggs are usually laid out of sight.
Female geckos almost always lay their eggs inside leaves or bark.
18. Geckos are among the longest hatchlings.
Even though geckos are considered relatively small lizards, their hatchlings are surprisingly long in comparison to those of other lizards.
19. Some types of geckos are parthenogenic.
This is a fancy word that means females can reproduce without mating with a male. Scientists believe that geckos have been able to populate most continents because of this trait, though it does have downsides.
The 11 Facts About Gecko Survival Tactics
20. They can have long lifespans.
Geckos are hardy reptiles because they can live to be 20 years old, and some have even lived to nearly 30.
21. Their primary form of defense is sound.
Geckos often protect their territory from one another through their unique vocalizations.
22. They can choose to lose their tail.
Gecko species can drop their tails to distract predators, and many can even grow them back. However, some geckos drop their tails but do not grow them back.
23. You can detect where the tail will disconnect.
You can easily spot where the gecko will drop their tail by looking for a score of spotted lines. The first spotted line is where the tail will break off from the body.
24. Geckos will eat a tail that they have shed.
If a gecko survives after shedding their tail, they will often go back to see if it remains. If it is still there, they will eat their tail for nutrients.
25. Tails hoard nutrients.
Whenever food is scarce, geckos store extra fat and nutrients in their tails to use during tough times.
26. Geckos can change color.
Much like chameleons, many geckos can change their colors to match their surroundings. They can even do it without seeing their surroundings.
27. Tails vary between breeds.
The satanic leaf-tailed gecko has a unique tail that looks like a dead leaf.
28. Geckos have a strategy to always land on their feet.
Whenever a gecko falls, they twist their tail at a right angle so they land on their feet. It only takes 100 milliseconds for geckos to direct their tails this way.
29. Geckos primarily only eat bugs.
This classifies them as insectivores.
30. They eat other smaller creatures too.
Even though geckos are considered insectivores, they are known to eat other creatures that are small enough.
The 13 Other Fun Facts About Geckos
31. There are hundreds of gecko breeds.
In fact, there are over 1,000 types of geckos.
32. Some geckos cannot blink.
Of the thousands of geckos, they are divided into only two types. One can blink and the other cannot.
33. The gecko’s sticky fingers have inspired inventors!
Geckos’ sticky fingers have actually inspired scientists to find new ways to create sticky products, such as tires and medical bandages.
34. Geckos are prevalent worldwide.
Geckos live on every continent around the globe except Antarctica.
35. Geckos call nearly every habitat home.
This includes rainforests, mountains, and even deserts.
36. The gecko has been a mascot of GEICO since 1999.
However, the company has never mentioned the specific species of its mascot.
37. You can find gecko species in all conservation classifications.
Some gecko species are ranked as least concern, whereas others are considered critically endangered.
38. The largest gecko was believed to be the Kawekaweau, which is no longer in existence.
There was only one specimen of this species discovered, and it was a stuffed lizard donated to a museum in France. The Kawekaweau is believed to be native to New Zealand, but it died out in the 19th century during colonization.
39. Their colorful skin holds an impressive lizard record.
Geckos are considered among the most colorful types of lizards in existence.
40. Their names may be inspired by an Indonesian word.
It is believed that the name “gecko” comes from the Indonesian word gēkoq, which was used to imitate the sound that geckoes make.
41. Leopard geckos are common.
The most popular gecko to own as a pet is the leopard gecko.
42. Most geckos are nocturnal.
Even though geckos can be diurnal or nocturnal, the vast majority are nocturnal.
43. Geckos love human homes and owners.
Unlike many reptiles, geckos thrive around humans, likely because they are small and feast on a variety of insects common to human households.
Summary
As you can see, the gecko is a fascinating creature that warrants a lot of discussion despite their small size. Although these 43 facts are far from being the only unique features of these lizards, they are among the most intriguing and applicable to all gecko species.
Featured Image Credit: Jeff McGraw, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 43 Gecko Facts
- The 14 Facts About Gecko Anatomy
- 1. Geckos have sticky fingers.
- 2. Tiny hairs are what cause them to stick.
- 3. They have light sensitivities.
- 4. Geckos can detect colors in various settings.
- 5. Most geckos do not have eyelids.
- 6. They can make sounds when they want to.
- 7. Not all geckos have legs.
- 8. Some geckos can glide through the air.
- 9. The smallest gecko is tinier than some bugs!
- 10. Geckos are the smallest lizards.
- 11. Scientists can easily determine if a gecko is diurnal or nocturnal by looking at their pupils.
- 12. Light can pass through their ear canals.
- 13. Geckos shed their skin frequently.
- 14. Geckos can replace their teeth.
- The 5 Facts About Gecko Reproduction
- 15. They make noise for a few reasons.
- 16. The gestation period can be long.
- 17. Eggs are usually laid out of sight.
- 18. Geckos are among the longest hatchlings.
- 19. Some types of geckos are parthenogenic.
- The 11 Facts About Gecko Survival Tactics
- 20. They can have long lifespans.
- 21. Their primary form of defense is sound.
- 22. They can choose to lose their tail.
- 23. You can detect where the tail will disconnect.
- 24. Geckos will eat a tail that they have shed.
- 25. Tails hoard nutrients.
- 26. Geckos can change color.
- 27. Tails vary between breeds.
- 28. Geckos have a strategy to always land on their feet.
- 29. Geckos primarily only eat bugs.
- 30. They eat other smaller creatures too.
- The 13 Other Fun Facts About Geckos
- 31. There are hundreds of gecko breeds.
- 32. Some geckos cannot blink.
- 33. The gecko’s sticky fingers have inspired inventors!
- 34. Geckos are prevalent worldwide.
- 35. Geckos call nearly every habitat home.
- 36. The gecko has been a mascot of GEICO since 1999.
- 37. You can find gecko species in all conservation classifications.
- 38. The largest gecko was believed to be the Kawekaweau, which is no longer in existence.
- 39. Their colorful skin holds an impressive lizard record.
- 40. Their names may be inspired by an Indonesian word.
- 41. Leopard geckos are common.
- 42. Most geckos are nocturnal.
- 43. Geckos love human homes and owners.
- Summary
