Leslie Massey
Geckos are everywhere in Australia except Tasmania. They are known for their soft bodies, scales, and five finger-like digits. They have no eyelids and large tongues. The Australian gecko is also known for its unique sounds, which can range from a series of soft chirps to loud hissing screeches. Some geckos even sound like they are barking or chirping like a small bird. The Asian House Gecko, which is common in Australia, makes a loud 'chuck, chuck, chuck' sound. Baby geckos make a soft screaming noise, similar to an old-fashioned kettle coming to the boil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Australian Common House Gecko, Barking Gecko, Native House Gecko, Dubious dtella, Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko |
| Scientific Name | Underwoodisaurus milii, Gehyra dubia, Phyllurus platurus |
| Habitat | Rainforest, desert, tree-top, termite mound, garden, houses |
| Location | Queensland, Sydney Basin area, north-east of Australia, Coffs Harbour |
| Size | 10 cm in length |
| Appearance | Dark colour during the day, pale pinkish-brown at night, colour-changing abilities, tail with spines that regenerate smoothly |
| Diet | Insects, cockroaches, spiders, mosquitoes |
| Behaviour | Nocturnal, vocalisations, tail-waving, mouth-gaping, wall and ceiling climbing, shedding |
| Sounds | Yelps, metallic scrapes, soft chattering, loud hissing screech, chuckling, chirping, soft piping, sharp chirping, screaming, barking, angry noises |
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What You'll Learn
The Australian common house gecko makes a distinctive noise
The Australian common house gecko, also known as the Asian House Gecko, makes a distinctive noise that many people in Australia are familiar with. This gecko is a nocturnal hunter, often seen at night on walls or ceilings, and is recognised by its soft body, scales, five-finger-like digits, large eyes, and long tongue. It is able to cling to smooth surfaces like glass windows due to the tiny hairs tipped with pads on its toes.
The Australian common house gecko makes a variety of sounds, including chirping, chapping, and chattering calls. Some people describe hearing little yelps or metallic scrapes coming from their walls or roofs, which are likely to be caused by resident geckos or legless lizards as they are the only lizards that can vocalise. The native house gecko has a softer call compared to the louder, distinctive "chuck, chuck, chuck" sound of the introduced Asian House Gecko.
Geckos are known for their ability to vocalise, with some species like the Asian Tokey Gecko lending its name to the loud "GECK-O!" call. Baby geckos make soft screaming noises, similar to an old-fashioned kettle boiling, and some geckos even creak like a cork being removed from a bottle. The Australian common house gecko's call is likely to be a combination of these described sounds, creating a unique and recognisable noise for Australians.
In addition to their vocalisations, geckos also communicate through body language. They may gape at threats by opening their mouths wide to appear larger and more dangerous, and they wave their tails to signal to other geckos or distract predators. When faced with a predator, a gecko will deliberately break its tail at a fracture point, allowing it to escape while the muscles around the tail stop it from bleeding to death. This results in a regrown tail that is often a different colour from the rest of its body.
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Geckos are nocturnal
At night, geckos make a variety of sounds, including chirping, chattering, hissing, creaking, and yelping. The Asian House Gecko, for example, makes a loud "chuck, chuck, chuck" sound, while the native Australian house gecko has a softer chattering call. The leaf-tailed gecko, on the other hand, has a loud hissing screech. Some geckos, like the Tokay Gecko, are known for their angry-sounding vocalizations.
The nocturnal nature of geckos is also reflected in their colouration. During the day, they are typically dark-coloured, but at night, they become pale pinkish-brown, helping them blend into their surroundings in the dark.
Geckos are found in a variety of habitats across Australia, from rainforests to deserts and tree-tops to termite mounds. They are known to frequent human habitations, such as houses and garages, where they feed on insects attracted to lights. Their sticky, velcro-like feet allow them to climb on smooth surfaces like glass windows and ceilings.
The presence of geckos in human dwellings is often indicated by their distinctive cries at night and their small droppings with white tips left on walls. While some people may be bothered by the sounds and mess geckos make, others appreciate their pest control benefits, as they feed on insects like cockroaches, spiders, and mosquitoes.
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Geckos are found in many different habitats
Geckos are found in a variety of habitats across every continent except Antarctica. They are typically found in warm climates and are well-adapted to diverse environments, including rainforests, deserts, and cold mountain slopes.
One common habitat for geckos is the tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, where they thrive in human habitation structures. The Common House Gecko, for example, is often found inside homes, garages, and buildings, especially in the tropics and subtropics. They are attracted to light and feed on insects that gather around illuminated areas.
In Australia, the Common House Gecko is prevalent in the north-east of the country and as far south as Coffs Harbour. They are known for their distinctive nocturnal habits and unique vocalizations. Another Australian species, the Barking Gecko, is also a nocturnal creature often found in residential areas.
Geckos have also established themselves in natural habitats outside their native ranges. For instance, the Indo-Pacific gecko has become an invasive species in Florida and Georgia in the US. The Mediterranean house gecko, introduced to the US, is frequently found in and around buildings.
The adaptability of geckos is further highlighted by their ability to thrive in both wild and residential environments. The Mourning Gecko, an East Asian and Pacific species, feels equally at home in nature and human neighbourhoods. Similarly, the tropical house gecko, native to sub-Saharan Africa, has expanded its range to North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean.
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Geckos have sticky feet
Geckos are fascinating creatures, and their ability to cling to smooth surfaces like glass windows and ceilings is truly remarkable. This unique ability can be attributed to their sticky feet, which are covered in thousands of tiny hairs tipped with pads, resembling velcro. These specialised feet allow geckos to escape from predators and hunt for prey in locations that other lizards cannot access.
The sticky feet of geckos are an adaptation that enhances their survival skills. With their strong adhesive capabilities, geckos can effortlessly navigate vertical surfaces and even hang upside down. This advantage gives them access to a variety of habitats and food sources that may be out of reach for other creatures. The pads on their toes enable them to cling to smooth, slippery surfaces, such as glass, providing stability and traction.
The thousands of minute bristles covering their feet create a strong bond with the surface they are attached to. This bond is so powerful that it can support the gecko's weight and even allow them to carry additional loads, such as prey or nesting materials. The adhesion is temporary, allowing geckos to detach their feet effortlessly when needed, making them agile and quick.
Geckos are found throughout Australia, excluding Tasmania. They are adaptable creatures, thriving in diverse habitats ranging from rainforests to deserts and from treetops to termite mounds. Their sticky feet enable them to explore these varied environments with ease, clinging to surfaces that other animals cannot, giving them a distinct advantage in terms of mobility and hunting.
While geckos are known for their sticky feet, they also possess other intriguing characteristics. Geckos have soft bodies, scales, five finger-like digits, large eyes, and no eyelids. They are nocturnal hunters with exceptional night vision, as their eyes are up to 350 times more sensitive in the dark than human eyes. Geckos are beneficial to have around your home, as they feed on insects attracted to light, cockroaches, spiders, and mosquitoes, acting as natural pest control.
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Geckos communicate using body language
Geckos, like other reptiles, rarely communicate using sound and rely more on body language. Leopard geckos, for example, use a range of vocalizations, but also body language to express themselves.
Leopard geckos will bite the tails of other leopard geckos when mating or to show dominance. They will also drop their tails if they are ever threatened, so the predator will go after their tail instead of the gecko. They will then slowly wiggle their tail, with their body lowered to the ground, and their head arched up staring at the threat. They may also use a defensive tail shake if they are unsure about another gecko.
Leopard geckos will also use rapid tail flicks to signal excitement, usually while hunting or interested in mating. If they are not interested in mating, they will slowly swish their tail, arch their back, and stand on tiptoe to signal "Leave me alone!".
Leopard geckos also use clicking sounds to communicate with other geckos. They will chirp or squeak when they are unhappy with their current situation, and they will bark at their keepers when they are hungry.
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Frequently asked questions
The sound of a Gecko in Australia varies depending on the species. The native house gecko has a soft chattering call, while the leaf-tail has a loud hissing screech. The introduced Asian House Gecko makes a much louder 'chuck, chuck, chuck' sound. Some geckos creak like a cork being unscrewed from a bottle, while others make a sharp 'chirp!' or a soft 'pip, pip, pip' like a small bird.
The most common Gecko in Australia is the native house gecko, which has a soft chattering call.
Baby geckos make a soft screaming noise like an old-fashioned kettle coming to the boil.
The Tokay Gecko, also known as the Asian Tokey Gecko, makes a loud 'GECK-O!' call.
The Carphodactylus Laevis Gecko, also known as the Chameleon Gecko, makes vocalizations resembling a velociraptor.
