Geckos are cool-looking little lizards that live in hot places. Like all reptiles, they can’t regulate their body temperature so they rely on the sun to keep them warm.
They live mostly in deserts, rainforests and jungles.
Geckos can be as small as 1 inch or as large as 1 foot long. Their tails are fat. Geckos store food in their tails. If you grab a gecko by the tail, the tail will come off so the gecko can escape.
Fun Facts about Geckos for Kids
- There are over 1,000 kinds of geckos divided into two species. One species has eyes that can’t blink. The other type has eyelids and can blink just like you.
- Scientists can tell by a gecko’s pupils if it is diurnal or nocturnal. Diurnal geckos, which are awake during the day, have round pupils. Nocturnal geckos have vertical pupils, like a cat’s.
- Geckos have millions of tiny, bristly hairs on their feet. These hairs let them to stick to surfaces like a wall or ceiling. They’re a little like Velcro.
- Geckos have excellent eyesight.
- Geckos are insectivores. That means they eat bugs! They love worms, mealworms, crickets and grasshoppers.
- If you shine a flashlight in a gecko’s ear, the light will come out the other ear. Cool, don’t you think?
- Geckos make chirping sounds to communicate.
Gecko Vocabulary
- Regulate: control
- Diurnal: awake during the day
- Nocturnal: awake at night
- Vertical: goes up and down
- Bristly: rough
Learn More All About Geckos
Watch this awesome investigative video about the gecko’s sticky feet:
A video explaining why geckos have sticky feet.
Gecko Q&A
Question: Do geckos lay eggs?
Answer: Geckos usually lay two sticky eggs. The eggs are soft at first, but become sticky. Sometimes geckos eat their own eggs.
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Question: Do geckos make good pets?
Answer: Geckos aren’t cuddly like a dog or cat, but they are interesting to watch. They need a special aquarium with a heating pad to keep them warm.
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