A Detailed Explanation of the Gecko's Living Environment and the Role of Its Tail
The gecko, also known as the house gecko, climbing gecko, wall-climbing gecko, four-legged snake, wall gecko, scorpion gecko, sky dragon, eaves snake and eaves dragon, is a reptile with a flat body, a slender tail and adhesive capabilities. A gecko can survive even after losing its tail, and dropping its tail is also a way to protect itself, which is exactly what makes it so unusual. Let us take a look below at where do geckos live? What is the function of their tails?
I. Where do geckos live?
Geckos mainly live in the warm regions of the world and are a relatively common type of creature.
Geckos are small reptiles that can adapt to environments ranging from deserts to jungles, and their adaptability is very strong. Different species are distributed in different regions.
The banded gecko, for example, is mainly distributed in North America, has a body length that can reach 15 cm, and is pink to yellowish-brown in colour with dark spots and bands. The tokay gecko that everyone is familiar with is in fact also a kind of gecko; it is the largest in size, with a length that can reach 25-35cm, and its body is grey in colour, mixed with red or milky white stripes or spots. It mainly grows in Southeast Asia and can generally be bought in pet shops.
In our country, geckos mainly grow in areas south of the Yangtze River basin, in the southwest and other places.
It is worth noting that although geckos are widely distributed, they are also a beneficial creature that needs our protection. Geckos are listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2013 Red List of Threatened Species ver3.1—-Near Threatened (NT). They are listed in the China Biodiversity Red List——Vertebrate Volume, with an assessment level of Vulnerable (VU).
II. What is the function of a gecko's tail?
The gecko's tail is a very magical thing, and it plays a very important role in the gecko's vertical climbing and gliding. When a gecko falls from a smooth vertical wall, it will keep turning its tail, adjusting its direction in the air and helping it flip its body so that its back faces upward, reducing the impact force. When a gecko glides on a flat ground surface, it relies on its tail to control the angle and direction of descent well, letting its belly touch the ground first and protecting its own safety. A gecko without a tail will find it very difficult to climb over a vertical and smooth wall.
When a gecko encounters danger, for example if you try to catch it or if it is frightened, its tail will break off as soon as it is touched, and at that moment the gecko will immediately run away, achieving the purpose of self-defence. Because the nerves in the tail do not stop working immediately when it breaks off, the tail will still keep wriggling, which frightens you. However, you do not need to worry, as the gecko will not show any abnormality from losing its tail, and before long it will grow a new tail.
In addition, it can also store fat, helping it fight off hunger.