Did you know that there’s a gecko named after Jackie Chan? In a study published in 2021 researchers described 12 gecko species from the Western Ghats, ten of which are found nowhere else. The geckos were given some creative names, including a quick and nimble species named after martial arts superstar Jackie Chan, a couple named after fictional dragons, and one named after the cosmos. Geckos are non-venomous lizards found worldwide (except Antarctica). Mostly insectivorous, geckos maintain ecosystem balance and control pests. Fun fact: Mongabay’s logo is also a gecko! India has more than 221 known species of geckos, with new ones frequently described. They thrive in diverse habitats. Some, such as the northern house gecko and the bark gecko, are common in urban homes. Others inhabit tree trunks, grasslands and rocky outcrops in wildernesses. Many species are endemic to certain regions, such as the Kalinga rock gecko (northern Eastern Ghats), the Indian golden gecko (central and southern Eastern Ghats), and the Kaziranga bent-toed gecko (Assam). But these creatures face diverse threats. Charismatic species such as the leopard geckos are vulnerable to the illegal pet trade. Some species, like the tokay geckos, are also poached for traditional Chinese medicine. Habitat loss, human disturbances and climate change are serious concerns, especially for endemic species. The Satara gecko is critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because it is found only on a single, unprotected lateritic plateau in the Western Ghats threatened by infrastructure expansion. Some species are…This article was originally published on Mongabay
Small creatures, big adaptations
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