Habitat of the Gecko Lizard
When keeping pet reptiles, understanding their native habitat is a primary component of providing the best care possible in captivity. Geckos are a type of lizard and are known to vocalize, unlike other lizards. There are over 2,000 types of geckos. They are found all over the world in many different types of habitats.
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Geography
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Geckos can be found on every continent in the world except Antarctica. The area of the world in which a gecko is found determines its habitat; some geckos can only tolerate cooler temperatures, while other species of geckos are found in hotter countries.
Climate
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Geckos are found in climates that stay relatively temperate throughout the year and don't drop below freezing temperatures. These include tropical rainforests, desert regions and subtropical regions, such as the state of Florida.
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Terrain
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Geckos can be found in different types of terrain. Those in desert regions, such as the leopard gecko, may be more likely to be found on sandy, rocky terrain. Rainforest geckos, like the crested gecko, can be found living in trees or in leaf litter on the forest floor.
Adaptations
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Some geckos have developed amazing adaptations to their particular habitat. Arboreal geckos like the flying gecko have tiny hair-like scales on their feet that allow them to "stick" to tree trunks, rocks and even the walls of houses so they can climb in their natural habitat. The majority of gecko species possess these suction-cup-like feet, but desert-dwelling geckos have "fingers" or claw-like appendages, better suited to the sandy habitat in which they live. The flying gecko also has skin flaps where its limbs meet its body, allowing it to glide great distances between the tree tops where it lives.
Camouflage
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Many gecko species display certain colorations or patterns that allow them to blend into their habitat extremely well. One such example is the leaf-tailed gecko, whose skin color resembles that of the bark of the trees it inhabits. Its tail also looks like a leaf, allowing it to blend in better. Many other geckos can change color from light to dark to blend into their surroundings.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit leopard gecko image by Ivan Polushkin from Fotolia.com
