The Fascinating Secrets of Gecko History

Geckos are among the most widespread lizards in the world. They are found in warm climates on every continent except Antarctica. Geckos come in many different colors and patterns, and they range in size from less than an inch to more than two feet long.

Geckos are well-known for their ability to climb walls and walk on ceilings. They have adhesive pads on their toes that allow them to stick to surfaces. Read on to learn all about Gecko history!

The Origin of Geckos

Geckos, a species of carnivorous Lizards, are widely distributed and can be found on every continent but Antarctica. Gekkonidae, which includes nearly 1,500 species of lizards is the largest lizard family. There are many things you can learn about geckos. 

We will be discussing the evolutionary history and evolution of geckos in this article. This amazing group of lizards can be ectothermic, just like other reptiles. Because they are unable produce metabolic heat, these lizards need heat from the outside to stay warm. This guide will give you a peek into the interesting and exciting topic of gecko history.

How are Geckos Unique?

Geckos are known for their unique mating calls. It is interesting to note that each species has a unique vocalization that attracts pet owners around the globe. Geckos make chrematistic sounds, such as clicking and chirping during social interactions. Some geckos are well-known for their loud mating calls, while others make hissing sounds when they are in danger.

Geckos Millions of Years Ago:

Many interesting facts can be gleaned from the evolutionary history of an organism. A study on a fossil of a gecko, which was approximately 100 million years old, has allowed us to learn more about its past. The amber kept the gecko safe for over 100 million years. 

The tiny foot of that fossil still displays the tiny sticky lamellae, which look almost like hairs and have the ability to stick. These tiny sticky lamellae are what gave rise to the modern sticky toes of geckos. Geckos can walk vertical walls even upside-down only because of their amazing sticky pads.

Scientists estimated that the gecko was either a juvenile or an adult about one foot in length by counting the lamellae found on its feet. Other large geckos may have existed at the time. According to the fossil discovered in Myanmar, geckos have lived in Asia for over 100 million years. 

They have been around for over 100 million years and have a unique foot structure, making them an amazing species. Researchers are working to replicate the dry adhesive abilities of geckos.

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Who are the Gecko’s Genetic Relatives?

Geckos are part of the Gekkota infraorder. Geckos belong to the infraorder Gekkota, which has seven families that are closely related genetically. There are many genetic similarities between all these species. These are the genetically related geckos families.

Pygopodidae

These are also known as legless or snake lizards. Pygopodidae members have legs that are either shorter or longer. They have long, slender bodies and distinct eyes, much like snakes. But unlike snakes they have holes for external ears and a flat, unforked tongue.

Carphodactylidae

Carphodactylidae are often called southern padless geckos. Although they have well-developed limbs and most of their DNA is similar to Pygopodidae, they do not have the same limbs. They are sometimes called the sister group to Pygopodidae because they have the lowest number of species than other families. They have a variety of habits.

Diplodactylidae

Diplodactylidae geckos are some of the most diverse in the world. These geckos are a variety of geckos, and have recently been split into new genera. These four families are genetically related to each other.

How did geckos adapt to their environment?

Geckos are a remarkable group of species with amazing features. Because of their remarkable survival skills, they have spread around the globe. Geckos have developed many adaptations to adapt to the changing environment over time. Here are a few of those techniques geckos used in their adaptation:

Protection mechanisms

The most important survival skill in the wild is the ability to defend oneself from predators. Geckos can use more than one defense mechanism to protect themselves. Geckos have a distinctive appearance that allows them to blend in with the surrounding environment. They can change their appearance to suit the environment, and camouflage themselves. They can also release their tails when they are bitten by a predator.

Movements

Geckos are also known for their speed and ability to climb nearly anywhere. The tiny, sticky hair-like outgrowths on their tails are just a few microns in size. These sticky outgrowths, which look like hair, can hold onto the surface with such strength that they can grab any small holds.

Thick Skin

Another adaptation is their thick skin, which helps them survive in harsh environments. They are able to withstand extreme heat and harsh environments in dry areas. Their tail has a large storehouse that can hold plenty of food. Their tail storage helps them survive in times of drought.

How has the world changed for geckos since they became pets?

Some species can experience major changes while others may only see minor changes. Different species have different domestication processes.

Selection is an important factor in domestication. We can only predict the physical features of geckos. We’ve artificially chosen and kept only those geckos that we find fascinating by their physical features. Nature left the rest of the geckos alone. They might have vanished from the earth. This is how domestication uses the selection process to affect species.

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Final thoughts

In conclusion, the evolutionary history of geckos is a long and complicated one. They have been around for millions of years and have undergone many changes to get to where they are today. They are a fascinating species and continue to evolve and change. We are so lucky to call them our beloved pets today!