Have you ever thought about having a pet gecko? Today we’re going to give you the various facts we found researching this popular pet so that you can make an educated decision as to whether or not you’ll get this reptile as a pet.
They Can’t Stick to Teflon
The toes of the gecko can stick to any surface except Teflon. Their sticky feet aren’t sticky to the touch, they just have lots of hairs that help them create suction so to speak on surfaces.
Sensitive to Light
Geckos eyes are 350 times more sensitive to light than human eyes. These reptiles are nocturnal so they’re more equipped to hunt and live during the darker hours of the day. Their eyes are not equipped to handle bright lights.
Very Vocal
Geckos can make a variety of sounds including chirping, barking, and other vocal sounds that the average person can hear. They are one of the most vocal lizards out there that you can get as a pet. The sounds could be to warn their gecko friends or communicate; we’re not sure which yet.
No Legs
There is a species of gecko that has no legs and looks more like snakes than lizards. You’ll typically find these legless geckos in Australia or New Zealand. They do have hind limbs that look more like fish flippers than legs.
Detach Tails
Most of the gecko species are able to detach their tail and regrow them. They use this as a way to distract their predators. If a gecko has been grabbed by a predator, they will detach their tail. The tail continues to wiggle and distract the predator so the gecko can run away to safety.
Tails Hold Nutrients
A gecko doesn’t typically enjoy losing its tail as that is where it holds the nutrients for times when they can get access to food. When food is scarce and a gecko has to remove its tail for safety reasons, it may ultimately starve without access to food.
Wild Geckos and Pet Geckos
Wild geckos will typically live about 5 years in the wild, but a pet gecko can live up to 20 years or longer. Leopard geckos are popular pet shop pets that live 10-20 years. This is for sure a pet to think hard about before purchasing as they may be in your home for many future years!
These are just some of the most surprising facts about geckos that may help you understand these adorable lizards more. This list of fun facts may help you determine whether you want this lizard as a new household pet or not, too!