With over 1,500 different species distributed across tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate regions of the world, geckos are one of the most diverse groups of all reptiles.
Geckos occur in a rainbow of colours and vary massively in size; the smallest species is just 1.6 cm long when mature while the largest reaches sizes of 36 cm!
Many gecko species can change colour, often turning lighter shades at night. Some geckos have evolved incredible forms of camouflage. The leaf-tailed geckos from Madagascar have perhaps the best camouflage adaptations of all. Several species have bodies with flaps and flanges along their flanks that resemble moss and bark, while the satanic leaf-tailed gecko, Uroplatus phantasticus, even has bite marks in its tail to resemble a chewed leaf!
Geckos have many amazing traits. If attacked, many geckos can shed their tail to distract their enemy, and some gecko species can regrow their tails later. Most geckos have adhesive pads on their toes that allow them to scale virtually any surface, even glass! Geckos are among the few reptiles to vocalise, with many geckos making chirping sounds to attract mates. Some geckos can reproduce even without mating!
Geckos make fascinating pets. Watch the video below and take a look at the downloadable caresheet for further details!
Download the Caresheet
The following are strongly recommended as ethical suppliers of livestock based in the UK with fantastic ranges of weird and wonderful pets:
Reptiles Plus
Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm
ALSO CONSIDER JOINING THE FOLLOWING SOCIETIES:
The British Herpetological Society
Know any other suppliers or societies that we should include here? Please contact the Weird and Wonderful Pets team by emailing sales@redfernnaturalhistory.com
Download the Caresheet
