We’re all familiar with animals that bark, such as the dogs in our homes or even laughing hyenas. Animals communicate in many interesting ways. One animal you wouldn’t expect to bark is the gecko. There is a genus of lizards known as barking geckos, which you can see in this Instagram post by @thedigitalzoo. Read on to learn more about barking geckos!
The Australian barking gecko lives up to its name.
©davemhuntphotography/Shutterstock.com
Barking geckos, scientifically known as Ptenopus, are a small genus of lizards. Small may be an understatement, as recent taxonomic studies suggest there may be seven or more species in the genus, all endemic to southern Africa. While other lizard species may bark or make noises when threatened, this behavior is most commonly observed in these geckos, hence the name.
Their distinctive barks set them apart, but they also have several other unique traits. For example, unlike most geckos, barking geckos have claws that help them move across sandy environments. This adaptation is vastly different from the toe pads of most geckos. The fringed claws are where they get their scientific name, with Ptenopus meaning “feather-foot.” Their small size makes them quick, and they grow to around four inches in length. They have a small, round snout that makes them adorable!
Barking geckos feed primarily on insects. These include crickets, roaches, worms, and locusts. This variety of food is important for them to grow to their adult size. Due to their small size, they must choose their food carefully. If an insect is larger than their head, they may have trouble swallowing it and could choke. They also have a variety of predators, including snakes, birds, other lizards, cats, dogs, and more. They bark as a way to communicate, but also to scare away predators. Because they live in arid biomes, they have developed special ways to hide from predators. Barking geckos are specialized burrowers that dig tunnels in the sand to escape predators, avoid heat, and lay eggs.
