Chris Connolly Photography

Mediterranean Gecko

Mediterranean Geckos are nocturnal; their bodies are cylindrical, squat and sometimes flattened on the upper side. They have soft, granular skin that feels velvety to the touch. They have the ability to lighten or darken the colouring of their skin in order to blend in or to be less noticeable to other animals. They are expert tree climbers because they have toes that are equipped with claws and sticky toe pads. They provide year-round insect pest control in our landscapes and homes by feeding on the dreaded cockroach and a wide variety of other insects. Geckos have a long breeding season of about four to five months. Each adult female may lay several clutches of two hard-shelled eggs per year. The eggs are often laid in communal nests, are about one quarter of an inch long and are initially soft-textured, but harden quickly. Unlike most lizards, Mediterranean Geckos are capable of vocalising. The males make an advertising call consisting of several clicks. Vocalisations are also used in territorial disputes and to deter predators. An intriguing characteristic of the Mediterranean Gecko is its ability to cast off its tail in defence and regenerate a new one. The tail has several sections on it where it can break off at any given moment and once it has been cast off, the tail will continue to move violently for several minutes until it slows down and stops, thus giving the Gecko a chance to escape. It takes approximately 3 weeks for these geckos to completely regenerate a new tail, although, it is usually never as long as the original one.

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Image Size: 5616x3744 / 8.8MB; chris connolly macro photography clane kildare ireland "sony world photography" "national winner" "world photography organisation" award "chris connolly photography" tan gecko lizardl mediterranean "mediterranean gecko" wildlife heritage "national heritage week" exhibition "biodiversity ireland" "biodiversity exhibition" "irish wildlife trust" irishtv "irish tv" "kildare county council" "macro photography ireland" spain mediterranean almeria nocturnal pet
Contained in galleries: Macro : Wildlife

Mediterranean Geckos are nocturnal; their bodies are cylindrical, squat and sometimes flattened on the upper side. They have soft, granular skin that feels velvety to the touch. They have the ability to lighten or darken the colouring of their skin in order to blend in or to be less noticeable to other animals. They are expert tree climbers because they have toes that are equipped with claws and sticky toe pads. They provide year-round insect pest control in our landscapes and homes by feeding on the dreaded cockroach and a wide variety of other insects. Geckos have a long breeding season of about four to five months. Each adult female may lay several clutches of two hard-shelled eggs per year. The eggs are often laid in communal nests, are about one quarter of an inch long and are initially soft-textured, but harden quickly. Unlike most lizards, Mediterranean Geckos are capable of vocalising. The males make an advertising call consisting of several clicks. Vocalisations are also used in territorial disputes and to deter predators. An intriguing characteristic of the Mediterranean Gecko is its ability to cast off its tail in defence and regenerate a new one. The tail has several sections on it where it can break off at any given moment and once it has been cast off, the tail will continue to move violently for several minutes until it slows down and stops, thus giving the Gecko a chance to escape. It takes approximately 3 weeks for these geckos to completely regenerate a new tail, although, it is usually never as long as the original one.