The most gecko-rich countries, with more than 100 species each, are Australia (241 species), India (127), Madagascar (120), and Malaysia (104) although some smaller countries have very high species richness, e.g. New Caledonia with 44 species .
A group of geckos is called a “lounge”. This term isn’t widely known because geckos are generally solitary animals and are rarely found in large groups in the wild. They come together primarily during mating seasons or, sometimes, in favorable environments where there is plenty of food and shelter, such as near a light source attracting insects. In these situations, you might observe several geckos hanging around in what could be called a “lounge.”
Geckos have an incredibly diverse habitat range, allowing them to thrive in a variety of environments across the world. They are found on every continent except Antarctica and have adapted to many different types of habitats, including:
- Tropical and Subtropical Forests: Many geckos live in warm, humid regions, including rainforests, where they often dwell in trees, hiding among leaves and branches.
- Deserts and Arid Regions: Several species are well-adapted to survive in arid environments, such as the deserts of Africa and Australia. Desert geckos, like the leopard gecko, have adapted to conserve water and can withstand high temperatures.
- Grasslands and Savannas: Geckos can be found in grasslands and savannas, taking advantage of tall grasses and other natural ground cover to hunt insects and stay protected from predators.
- Rocky Terrain: Some geckos live in rocky environments and are adapted for climbing rock faces and crevices. The Mediterranean house gecko is an example of a species that is commonly found in rocky, urban areas.
- Urban Areas: Geckos are highly adaptable and are commonly found in human habitats, such as homes and buildings, especially in warm regions. Species like the house gecko have adapted to living alongside humans, thriving in areas with plenty of artificial light that attracts insects.
- Islands: Many geckos are native to islands and are well-suited to island ecosystems. For example, the day gecko is commonly found in Madagascar and nearby islands.
- Mountains: Some species can be found in mountainous areas, surviving in cooler climates with adequate cover and food supply. They find shelter in crevices and beneath rocks to stay warm.
- Coastal Areas: Certain gecko species thrive in coastal environments, where they find abundant food sources like insects and can live in shrubs and trees along the shoreline.
Overall, geckos are highly versatile animals that have adapted to a wide range of habitats—from humid jungles to arid deserts, and from rocky mountains to bustling urban settings. Their adaptability and unique survival traits make them successful in a diverse array of environments across the globe.
- Unique Toes: Geckos have specialized toe pads that allow them to climb smooth vertical surfaces, and even walk upside down on ceilings!
- Nocturnal Hunters: Most geckos are nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night and use their excellent night vision to hunt.
- No Eyelids: Unlike many other lizards, geckos don’t have eyelids. Instead, they have a transparent membrane, which they keep clean by licking with their tongues.
- Sticky Secrets: The toe pads of geckos are covered in thousands of tiny hairs called setae, which enable them to stick to surfaces through molecular interactions called van der Waals forces.
- Vocal Communicators: Unlike many other reptiles, some geckos can make noises, such as chirps, clicks, or barks, to communicate with each other.
- Autotomy Defense: When threatened, many gecko species can shed their tails as a defense mechanism to distract predators. The tail later regenerates, though it often has a different texture or coloration.
- Colorful Camouflage: Geckos are often capable of changing their skin color to blend into their environment or to communicate with other geckos, similar to chameleons.
- Wide Variety of Species: There are over 1,500 different species of geckos found around the world, and they live in a wide variety of habitats, from rainforests to deserts.
- Egg Layers: Geckos typically lay small clutches of one or two eggs, which are often soft when laid but harden soon afterward.
- Long Life Span: Some geckos can live for 10 to 20 years in captivity, with some species even living beyond 25 years.
- Diverse Diet: Geckos primarily eat insects and other small invertebrates, but some species also consume fruit and nectar.
- Regenerating Tail: When a gecko loses its tail, it stores fat in the tail stump to help with the energy needed for regeneration.
- Excellent Climbers: Geckos can scale glass and other smooth surfaces due to the unique structure of their feet, which has inspired scientists to develop “gecko tape” for use in technology and climbing gear.
- Wide Range of Sizes: Geckos can vary significantly in size, from the tiny Jaragua gecko, which is just about 1.6 cm (0.6 inches) long, to the giant New Caledonian gecko, which can reach up to 35 cm (14 inches).
- Flexible Skin: Geckos regularly shed their skin in patches, unlike snakes that shed in one piece. They often eat their shed skin for nutrients and to avoid leaving a scent trail for predators.
- Adapted for All Climates: Geckos are incredibly adaptable and can be found on almost every continent, thriving in both humid rainforests and arid desert regions.
- Teeth Replacement: Geckos have small, sharp teeth, and they regularly replace them every few months throughout their life.
- Natural Pest Control: Because of their appetite for insects, geckos are considered helpful in controlling pest populations in some areas.
- Gecko Eyesight: Geckos have amazing color vision in low light, about 350 times more sensitive to color in the dark than humans.
- Sticky Skin Myth: Geckos’ ability to cling to walls isn’t due to a sticky substance. Instead, it is because of the tiny hair-like structures that create adhesion forces.