The gecko is a small to medium sized lizard found in warm climates throughout the world. The name gecko comes from the Indonesian word for lizard, gekko. There are approximately 1,500 species of geckos, making them one of the most diverse groups of lizards. Geckos are adapted to a wide range of habitats and can be found in deserts, rain forests, and even high in the Himalayan mountains.
Most geckos are nocturnal animals and have excellent night vision. They are also proficient climbers and many species can run upside down on ceilings or vertical walls. Geckos have special toe pads that enable them to grip surfaces strongly enough to support their entire body weight. These toe pads also give geckos the ability to walk on smooth surfaces such as glass without falling off.
Geckos use their tail as a rudder when running or climbing and as a means of storing fat reserves. If a gecko loses its tail, it will grow another one back within a few weeks. Some species of gecko can drop their tails voluntarily if they feel threatened by predators. The discarded tail continues to move on its own after it has been detached from the body, distracting the predator while the gecko escapes to safety.
Geckos are mostly insectivorous animals but some larger species will also eat small vertebrates such as lizards and frogs. Most species reproduce via internal fertilization and lay two eggs at a time which hatch about two months later. Geckos typically live for 4-5 years in captivity but some species may live up to 20 years old in the wild..