Hands Down Animals · Printable fact sheet
Gecko
Gekkonidae
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Gekkonidae |
|---|---|
| Size | 2 to 36 cm in length depending on species |
| Weight | 1 to 65 grams depending on species |
| Lifespan | Typically 6–10 years, some up to 20 years |
| Diet | Primarily insectivorous: crickets, moths, beetles, mosquitoes, and other small arthropods; some species also… |
| Habitat | Tropical rainforests, Savannas, Deserts |
| Where it lives | Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, Africa |
| IUCN status | Least Concern (overall family, though some species are threatened) |
| Population | Unknown (global population not estimated; many species… |
| Top speed | 10 km/h |
| Family | Gekkonidae |
About the gecko
Geckos are small lizards found in warm climates worldwide, and with more than 1,800 species they are one of the largest lizard groups. Most climb sheer walls and even glass on toe pads covered in millions of microscopic hairs that grip by molecular attraction, many have no eyelids and lick their eyes clean with their tongues, and unlike almost all other lizards, geckos call to each other with chirps and clicks. Most species are Least Concern, but island species are vulnerable to introduced predators.
Five things to know
- Geckos have specialized toe pads that let them walk on walls and ceilings, even glass.
- They are unique among lizards because many geckos vocalize with chirps, clicks, and sometimes loud calls.
- The leopard gecko has eyelids, which is very rare among geckos.
- Geckos can rapidly drop their tails to escape predators, regrowing them in weeks to months.
- Some geckos have no eyelids and clean their eyes with their tongues.
Homeschool unit: Animals homeschool guide — Habitats, adaptations and food chains as a graded unit, with the gecko as one of its worked examples.