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Gecko is a type of lizard from the family Gekkonidae. There are 1000 species of geckos that can be found all over the world, except on the Antarctica. Different species of geckos have developed different adaptations to survive in wide variety of ecosystems, such as: tropical rainforests, deserts, jungles, grasslands and mountains. Geckos are often kept as pets. Leopard gecko is the most popular gecko pet.
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Geckos vary in size. Smallest species of geckos, dwarf gecko, reaches inches in length. Largest species of geckos, tokay gecko, reaches 14 inches in length. Geckos are usually brightly colored. Body coloration depends on the colors of their environment because it plays important role in the camouflage. 5
Geckos eat different types of fruit, flower nectar, insects and worms. Gecko has a fat tail which is used as a reservoir of fats. It also help gecko to balance while it walks and climbs the trees. Just like other lizards, gecko can throw away its tail in the case of a danger. Tailless gecko will regenerate its missing body part after short period of time. Flying gecko is the only gecko species capable for flying (gliding through the air). It has webbed feet and tail, and wide flap of skin which act as a parachute while gecko jumps from one tree to another. Unlike other reptiles, geckos are able to produce various sounds which are used in communication. They produce barking, chirping or clicking noise during mating season or when defending their territory. Geckos mate several times during the year. Female produces two eggs after mating.Female lays her eggs under the leaves and bark few weeks after mating. She does not take care of the eggs. Some eggs are soft, but their shell gradually hardens when exposed to air. Geckos have long lifespan. Leopard gecko can survive more than 20 years in captivity. Other species live between 8 and 10 years. Certain gecko species are endangered due to habitat loss and because of the introduction of new predatory species into their environment. 6
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Geckos are nocturnal (active at night) creatures. Their eyes are adapted to a low level of light.
ed n p lo e v e d ll e Besides w ense of he s excellent d avoid detect an
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Due to the ir small siz e, g preyed by snakes, bir eckos are often ds, mamma large spide ls and som r species. e
os have k c e g , n io night vis lp them e h h ic h w earing on time. s r o t a d e pr
Unique feature of some gecko species is ability to walk across smooth or even horizontal surfaces (such as ceilings) without falling. This is possible because their toes have tiny hooks which act like suction cups during walking. 9
Big Reach: In order to catch prey at a
distance, the squid’s two feeding tentacles stretch out up to 35ft. They have club-like ends that can snatch fish.
Creature Features
SPECIES: Architeuthis harveyi SIZE: Length up to 60ft.; Weight up to 1 ton BODY PARTS: 10 tentacles, bullet-shaped head,huge eyes, sharp beak HABITAT: All the world’s oceans at depths of 700 to more than 3,000ft. PREY: fish, crustaceans and other squid 10
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Arm Wrestler: Shorter but strongerbthan the feeding tentacles, the squids’s eight arm-like tentacles wrap up prey as it is brought toward its mouth.
No Escape: At the bottom of the squid’s he
surrounded by the emerging tentacles, is the b mouth. its sharp edges cut through prey’s skin
A Real Life Sea Monster
The legend of the kraken has been told throughout Norway since the 12th Century. the kraken (shown right) was one of the scariest sea monsters ever imagined. This beast was said to roam the seas attacking ships and drowning sailors. This monster could bite down with tusk-like fangs and drag victims to the bottom of the sea. It is bellieved that the giant squid is the basis of this legend because the North Atlantic Ocean has been one of the best places to find giant squid washed up on the beach. In the 1930’s, a Norwegian ship was actually attacked by a giant squid. 12
Did you know? The most famous giant squid tale was written
by Jules Verne in 1870 as a chapter in his novel, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The squid (callwd a gaint cuttlefish in the novel) attacks a submarine and grabs a member of the crew with its gaint tentacles.
ead, beat-like like shears.
Squid Vs. Whale
The giant squid’s archenemy is the sperm whale. Sperm whales dive deep into the sea when hunting and are known to prey on these huge squid. Evidence of the epic “squid vs. whale” battles have been found in the form of sucker-shaped scars left on the bodies of sperm whales. In fact, the two beasts have engaged in such deadly battles that sometimes both animals are killed. The giant squid generally feeds on smaller fish and crustaceans, but it has been known to attack and kill baby whales. 13
Sugar gliders are very social an groups of 7 or more members. D group uses scent glands to mar members of the group.
Sugar glider is an omnivore (it eats plants and animals). Its diet consists of insects, lizards, small birds and their eggs and small mammals. It also consumes tree sap, flowers and nectar.
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nimals. They live in Dominant male in the rk all the
Sugar glider is tiny marsupial. It can be found in Australia, Tasmania, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Sugar glider can survive in different types of forests, but it prefers forests of eucalyptus and acacia. Name “sugar glider� originates from the fact that this animal likes to eat sugar and that it can glide through the air. Sugar gliders are very social and enjoy company of people. Because of that, they are often kept as pets. Habitat loss due to deforestation is a major threat for the survival of sugar gliders in the wild. Luckily, population of sugar gliders is large and stable and they are not on the list of endangered species.
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Sugar glider has large eyes that provide excellent night vision. Sugar glider is nocturnal animal (active during the night).
Sugar gliders can glide a distance of up to 148.9 feet. Sharp claws ensure strong grip of the nearby branches and safe landing.
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Sugar glider is arboreal animal (spends its life on the trees).
Sugar glider is covered with soft grey, yellow or tan fur. Throat, chest and belly are creamy in color. It has single dark stripe that stretches from nose to tail.
Sugar glider glides from tree to tree using the membrane that stretches from the wrist to the ankle. Size and shape of this “parachute� can be changed by modifying the position of the legs. Sugar gliders use tail as a rudder during the flight.
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Sugar gliders can survive up to 9 years in the wild and usually up to 12 years in captivity.
Sugar glider can reach 5 to 6 inches in length and up to 4 ounces of weight. It has 7 inches long tail.
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