Faced with Costa Rica's star animals - toucans, red-eyed frogs and sloths - the Gecko is very discreet. And yet it's an extremely interesting exotic animal. Let's take a look at its characteristics, its habits, whether it's dangerous or not - in short, let's get to know the Gecko.
A gecko is often mistaken for an anole or a small lizard.
Rather dark, brown in color, there are some colorful gecko species in Costa Rica, such as the Yellow-headed Gecko.
However, the gecko can be distinguished by its large eyes (which it cleans with its tongue), its large doits with adhesive flaps for most species, its flat head and never any ridges or spines.
The Gecko's ability to climb vertical walls, even made of glass, has always fascinated scientists. Much research has been, and still is being, carried out to unlock its secret.
Geckos can stick to almost any surface, even underwater, in a vacuum and without ever damaging their legs or soiling the surface.
No, absolutely not. It should be pointed out that no Gecko in the world is venomous. So there's no risk in having geckos in your home or coming into contact with them. In Costa Rica, as in many other parts of the world, local people attribute supernatural powers and beliefs to geckos. Some believe they bring good luck, others the opposite.
As we've seen, the Geco may bite in defense. However, the Gecko's small mouth and small teeth mean that a bite is perceived as a pinch and rarely causes any bleeding. In any case, if you leave the Gecko alone, it's impossible for it to come and bite you.
One of the most persistent beliefs is that when a Gecko urinates on you, you feel a strong, stinging pain.
Introduction
Gecko can be found in many parts of the world, on the American, European and African continents, as well as in Australia and New Caledonia. Some Gecko species, also known as margouillat, are found on islands such as Reunion and Madagascar. In Costa Rica, we find the Gekkonidae which groups together 5 genera. Some 16 species of geckos are found in Costa Rica, in a wide range of habitats. Generally speaking, geckos live in tropical and subtropical zones, although they are one of the few reptile species capable of adapting to the cold. Geckos have been found in the Himalayas at altitudes of over 4,000 meters. In Costa Rica, you can find it in both the Corcovado than on the Caribbean coast as Cahuita or Tortuguero. It is present throughout France. Not all geckos are arboreal, and some species have adapted to life on the ground. This adaptation has resulted in the loss of the adherent lamellae on the underside of their legs. Geckos can be found in houses, forests or on the ground.How can you tell a Gecko from another lizard?
A gecko is often mistaken for an anole or a small lizard.
Rather dark, brown in color, there are some colorful gecko species in Costa Rica, such as the Yellow-headed Gecko.
However, the gecko can be distinguished by its large eyes (which it cleans with its tongue), its large doits with adhesive flaps for most species, its flat head and never any ridges or spines.
Let's take a look at the Gecko's legs
The Gecko's ability to climb vertical walls, even made of glass, has always fascinated scientists. Much research has been, and still is being, carried out to unlock its secret.
Geckos can stick to almost any surface, even underwater, in a vacuum and without ever damaging their legs or soiling the surface.
But what's his secret?
A Gecko's leg is made up of a pad of flexible fiber-covered lamellae known as setulae. This power of adhesion is so strong that a 50-gram animal can withstand a pull of 2 kg. This incredible adhesive power is of great interest not only to the security and automotive industries, but also to the medical sector. Indeed, this adhesive capacity is of interest in wound suturing. Perhaps most impressive is the fact that Geckos are able to stick and unstick their legs endlessly, without ever damaging the leg bristles, and in a very short time. They can cover a distance of around 20 times their body in one second. This speed is essential in their hunt for food.The song of the Gecko
The other most famous aspect of the Gecko is its distinctive sound. Who hasn't been kept awake by the distinctive call of the Gecko in the middle of a muggy night. The Gecko is one of the few reptiles capable of producing so many different sounds. Each sound has a specific function. Often associated with reproduction, where song is used to attract females, it is also used to mark out a territory, ward off conspecifics or scare off predators.Its reproduction
Originally from Asia, the Geckos that arrived in Costa Rica have adapted in exemplary fashion. Their rapid reproduction (they can breed all year round) has made colonization easy. Geckos' eggs can be found just about anywhere in the home: in shoes, on walls, on plates, in the nooks and crannies of the living room - they're very ingenious.What are the predators?
Geckos' biggest predators are snakes, birds and a few mammals. The Gecko protects itself with camouflage and an impressive climbing ability. Their small teeth are also used to defend themselves when attacked by predators, and they are capable of biting the attacker to defend themselves. Another technique, and not the least, is to be able to lose their tail in the event of an attack. This is a classic diversion for certain types of lizard. The vast majority of Gecko lizards are able to separate their tails, giving them extra weight for faster escape and, above all, a diversion for the predator.Is the Gecko dangerous?
No, absolutely not. It should be pointed out that no Gecko in the world is venomous. So there's no risk in having geckos in your home or coming into contact with them. In Costa Rica, as in many other parts of the world, local people attribute supernatural powers and beliefs to geckos. Some believe they bring good luck, others the opposite.
As we've seen, the Geco may bite in defense. However, the Gecko's small mouth and small teeth mean that a bite is perceived as a pinch and rarely causes any bleeding. In any case, if you leave the Gecko alone, it's impossible for it to come and bite you.
One of the most persistent beliefs is that when a Gecko urinates on you, you feel a strong, stinging pain.
