Geckos

Geckos are small, colorful lizards found in warm places all over the world. Most geckos are active at night. They have big eyes that help them see in the dark. Geckos are famous for their sticky toes.

Sticky Feet

Geckos have tiny hairs on their toes that help them stick to almost anything. They can walk straight up walls and across ceilings. This helps them catch bugs and escape from danger. Scientists have studied gecko feet to make new kinds of tape.

A close-up of a gecko's sticky foot climbing glass.
A close-up of a gecko's sticky foot climbing glass. (Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / Wikimedia Commons)

Noisy Lizards

Unlike most lizards, geckos can make sounds. They chirp, click, and squeak to talk to each other. Some geckos bark when they feel scared. Their name comes from the sound some of them make.

Fun Facts

  • There are more than 1,500 different kinds of geckos.
  • Most geckos can drop their tails to get away from enemies.
  • Some geckos lick their own eyeballs to keep them clean.

Did You Know?

Geckos are the only lizards that can talk with real voices, not just hisses.