Gerald McCormack, CINHT
Mournful Gecko and Parent species – J. Newsome
The Mournful Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris), about 80mm from nose to tail-tip, is the most common household lizard in the Cook Islands and throughout the Pacific. Like other gecko lizards, it hides during the day and hunts insects at night, especially on walls near lights. It has wide toes with minute hairs underneath, which enable it to climb seemingly smooth vertical surfaces and to walk upside-down on ceilings.
Although Mournful Geckos usually congregate together, they give noisy “CHIK-CHIK-CHIK-CHIK-CHIK-CHIK” calls to warn each other to keep a suitable distance, and they follow up with a vigorous physical attack when the warning is ignored. Continue reading →
