Why Do Geckos Use Camouflage?
- Gecko on rockrelax image by giangius from Fotolia.com
Geckos are reptiles. According to Tony Gamble of the University of Minnesota, there were 1,100 known gecko species as of 2008, with new species being identified all the time. - Foxes eat geckos.fox image by jeancliclac from Fotolia.com
Foxes, coyotes, birds, snakes and other lizards are all potential predators of geckos that might be thwarted by effective camouflage. - Leopard geckoleopard gecko image by Ivan Polushkin from Fotolia.com
If camouflage fails, many geckos can lose their tails to avoid being caught. The detached tails of leopard geckos continue to twitch and jump, distracting the predator while the gecko escapes. - Insect on leafinsect image by Mirek Hejnicki from Fotolia.com
The primary food for most geckos is insects. Camouflage allows the geckos to wait unseen for their prey to draw close before attacking. Some species also eat pollen, tree sap, and fruit. - Well-camouflaged praying mantispraying mantis image by Michael Cornelius from Fotolia.com
Camouflage is found throughout the animal kingdom in creatures as diverse as leopards, deer, owls, praying mantises and sea anemones.
