Lyla Lindsey
Geckos are small, predominantly carnivorous lizards that can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They are highly adaptable and can survive in a variety of habitats, including scorching deserts, humid rainforests, mountains, shrublands, rocky places, and coasts. In Western Australia, geckos are commonly found in arid regions, where they exhibit remarkable resilience and survival skills. They are nocturnal hunters with exceptional night vision and vocalization abilities. While their diet consists mainly of insects like cockroaches, spiders, and mosquitoes, they also consume other invertebrates like worms and small vertebrates. Geckos are an integral part of Australia's biodiversity and occupy diverse ecological niches, making them a fascinating subject for wildlife enthusiasts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | Insects such as cockroaches, spiders, mosquitoes, moths, crickets, and other invertebrates like earthworms |
| Smaller lizards, their own eggs, nectar, honey, fruit, frogs, and other geckos | |
| Habitat | Large shrubs and trees, rockeries, under logs, spider holes, under bark, spinifex clumps, rock crevices, termite mounds |
| Rainforests, deserts, shrublands, rocky places, coasts, plantations, human habitations | |
| Physical traits | Soft bodies, tiny granular scales, well-developed limbs, large eyes with vertical pupils, no eyelids |
| Sticky feet with thousands of bristles, toe pads for adhesion, vocalisations | |
| Behaviour | Nocturnal, nocturnal colour vision 350x more accurate than humans, diurnal species also exist |
| Defence Mechanisms | Tail detachment, bad-smelling goo from tail, threat displays, vocalisations |
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What You'll Learn
Arthropods and invertebrates
Geckos are attracted to outdoor lighting in search of moths and other insects. They can be found near human habitations, and their diet may include smaller lizards, earthworms, and even their own eggs. Geckos have also been observed eating honey, nectar, and fruit when available.
The Marbled Gecko, for example, shelters during the day in rockeries and under large logs, emerging at night to prey on invertebrates. This species is common in southern Australia and is known for its adaptability to various environments, including urban areas.
Geckos are found in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, deserts, shrublands, rocky places, and coasts. They are distributed across mainland Australia, excluding Tasmania. Their climbing abilities and vocalizations make them intriguing subjects for wildlife enthusiasts.
Geckos are small lizards, typically ranging from 1.6 to 60 centimetres (0.6 to 23.6 inches) in length. They have soft bodies, tiny granular scales, well-developed limbs with five digits, and large eyes with vertical pupils and a transparent membrane instead of eyelids.
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Sap, nectar, honey and fruit
While some geckos are strictly insectivorous, others are omnivores, and their diets include plant exudates like sap and animal prey. Studies have shown that Australian geckos frequently consume sap, indicating that omnivory is widespread among them. Specifically, the gecko Gehyra versicolor was observed to feed on Acacia victoriae gum.
Some geckos, like crested geckos, are known to eat fruit as part of their diet. Pet parents can offer fruit to species that naturally consume it, such as crested, day, and tokay geckos. However, it is important to do so in moderation as fruit is sugary and has relatively little nutritional value compared to protein-rich insects. Fruits that crested geckos enjoy include pears, blueberries, and bananas.
It is worth noting that some geckos, like leopard geckos, are strictly insectivorous and should not consume fruits or vegetables. They are unable to digest plant material, which can lead to serious health issues.
While there is limited information specific to Western Australian geckos, it is clear that the dietary habits of geckos vary by species. Therefore, it is always recommended to consult a veterinarian to determine the best diet for a gecko's specific needs.
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Larger vertebrates
While geckos are predominantly carnivorous and mostly insectivorous, some larger gecko species will eat small vertebrates. The Cooktown Ring-tailed Gecko, for example, has been observed eating frogs and other geckos.
The Knob-tailed Gecko, native to arid central and western Australia, is distinguished by its bulbous tail, which it uses to store fat. This adaptation allows it to survive in harsh desert conditions. The Marbled Gecko, common in southern Australia, is known for its marbled appearance and adaptability to various environments, including urban areas. The Golden-tailed Gecko, native to eastern Australia, is notable for its striking coloration and defensive behaviour, which includes squirting a harmless but foul-smelling substance from its tail when threatened.
The Northern Spiny-tailed Gecko, native to northern Australia, is characterised by its spiny tail and intricate patterns, making it a unique sight in its natural habitat. While the Knob-tailed, Marbled, Golden-tailed, and Northern Spiny-tailed Geckos are all native to different regions of Australia, they are all considered larger gecko species and may include small vertebrates in their diets.
The Giant Tree Gecko is considered the largest gecko native to Australia, with a snout-to-vent length of about 4.7 inches. However, some consider the New Caledonian Giant Gecko, found on an island near Australia, to be the largest, as it can grow to over 20 inches long. These larger geckos may have a more diverse diet that includes small vertebrates in addition to insects and other invertebrates.
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Marbled geckos
If you are caring for a pet marbled gecko, it is recommended to provide a 30-inch aquarium or larger with plenty of branches for climbing and places to hide. The daytime temperature should be maintained at around 27°C, with a basking spot at one end reaching 34°C. At night, the temperature should not drop below 21°C. While full-spectrum lighting is not necessary, as marbled geckos are nocturnal, you can provide additional lighting to attract moths for them to prey on.
In terms of their diet, marbled geckos in captivity can be fed pinhead crickets, small Phoenix worms, mealworms, and fruit flies. It is important to provide food that is appropriately sized for their age and mouth size.
In the wild, marbled geckos will eat a variety of insects and invertebrates that are attracted to flowering shrubs and small trees. They are likely to consume a range of arthropods, including insects and spiders, and may also include sap and nectar in their diets.
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Knob-tailed geckos
Before feeding, prey items should be gut-loaded with fresh vegetables or a commercial gut load to provide the most nutrients. It is also important to dust feeder insects with a vitamin-mineral supplement containing calcium and vitamin D3. Knob-tailed geckos do not require a water dish, but water is an important requirement and can be provided by spraying the enclosure with a water bottle.
These geckos are nocturnal and fairly secretive, so they may become easily stressed from too much handling and are not considered a suitable pet gecko. They have large eyes, big heads, and small tails, resulting in a comical appearance. They are also unique among geckos in that they have eyelids and non-sticky feet.
There are 14 species and subspecies of knob-tailed geckos, with most available in the reptile trade. The largest of the knob-tailed geckos is Nephrurus amyae, which is also Australia's heaviest gecko, weighing up to 65 grams. Captive knob-tailed geckos require a natural, recognisable substrate such as fine sand, as well as an appropriate thermal gradient and proper moisture retention.
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Frequently asked questions
Geckos are predominantly carnivorous and insectivorous. They eat insects such as cockroaches, spiders, crickets, and mosquitoes. They also eat other invertebrates like earthworms and moths. Some geckos eat smaller lizards, and occasionally a female will eat her own eggs.
Yes, they have been known to eat honey, nectar, and fruit. Some larger species will also eat small vertebrates, such as frogs.
Geckos are mostly nocturnal hunters with eyes that are much more sensitive than humans, allowing them to hunt at night. They prey on insects and other invertebrates, which they catch using their sticky feet and fast movements.
Geckos are primarily insectivores, but they do sometimes eat plant-based foods like nectar and fruit.
Yes, some larger species of geckos have been observed eating other smaller geckos.
