This Frugivorous Omnivore Gets a Tasty Citrus Lick

Most of us are only familiar with the Geico Gecko, and you may even encounter the real ones where you live. After all, they live on every continent except Antarctica. While their mannerisms aren’t quite what the insurance commercials portray, they are intelligent, quick, and adaptable. In the first video by @discover.animal, this little guy displays its natural curiosity, while the gecko in the second video (swipe left) shows off its crazy climbing skills. Both of these lizards look wildly different but share many common traits.

Only These Species Of Gecko Enjoy Fruit

Many gecko species are insectivores, but not all. The others are frugivorous omnivores, meaning their diet is versatile. Frugivorous omnivores can eat insects, nectar, and fruits, like this gecko in the first video. These geckos are commonly kept as pets since their diets are more lenient than insectivores. Fruit-eating geckos enjoy a wide range of fruits, including apples, mangos, papaya, pears, guava, watermelon, bananas, and even cherries.

Although this video shows a gecko testing its newfound orange, it’s not a common fruit for the species. Oranges are high in sugar and acid, which can interfere with a gecko’s digestive system. Citrus fruits also hinder calcium absorption in reptiles such as geckos and contain high vitamin C, which can dehydrate. Given their love for other, more tropical fruits, this tiny troublemaker is likely only intrigued by its tangy flavor. Geckos love to explore, and tasting things is part of their natural curiosity!

Sticky Feet Make Them Excellent Climbers

A gecko’s feet are an evolutionary wonder. They can stick to practically anything and are known for being fast climbers, and for a good reason. The bottom of their feet contain setae, which are hair-like shapes that line their toes. Depending on how a gecko moves its appendages, it can adhere to a surface or release its feet to move freely. These setae have tiny spatulae — or bristles — at the ends, which adhere on a molecular level to certain surfaces.

Climbing is instinctual for a gecko, requiring little effort throughout its day. This sets them apart from other lizards and makes them some of the best climbers of any reptile. The second video shows a gecko’s setae in action as it climbs a refrigerator shelf. The minute molecular attraction that’s happening between the gecko’s feet and the shelf happens because of van der Waals forces, allowing the spatulae on its feet to briefly adhere to molecules on the dry shelf. This is why people in regions where geckos are prevalent often find them climbing up walls, on cabinets, and hanging from the ceiling!