Geckos are nocturnal reptiles with large eyes (the better to see you with!), and padded toes for climbing. They have a thick tail and four legs. Geckos can be seen in a truly diverse variety of shapes, colors, and sizes.

Interesting Facts About the Gecko

These extremely adaptable creatures possess numerous traits that allow them to thrive in many different habitats. With so many different species, the facts are virtually endless, so we’ll pick a few choice ones.

• Wink at Em’ – Your gecko friend will never wink at you, because geckos cannot blink! Instead of blinking to clear their eyes, geckos simply lick debris away. They use their tongues to keep their eyes moist and clean.
• Off With His Head! – While geckos can’t regrow their heads, they can regrow their tails. Geckos can actually sever their own tails if captured, to distract the predator and escape. The tail simply grows back, in a process called “autotomy.”
• Mega-Gecko – The largest species of gecko ever discovered was a whopping two feet long! This now-extinct species, the kawekaweau, was native to New Zealand. It is believed these geckos were driven to extinction by the introduction of non-native rats and weasels. This fate is unfortunately very common in island animal species with little-to-no native predators.
• Gecko Toes – Geckos’ padded toes provide them with unrivaled climbing ability. Approximately 60% of geckos have toe pads aiding them in climbing. The toes have setae, or ridges, along the surface. Scientists have debated over the exact science of how gecko toes allow them to climb virtually any surface. The most recent theory is the use of electrostatic interaction between the toes and the surface.