**A “geko” (correct spelling: *gecko*) is a small lizard found in warm climates worldwide, known for its ability to climb walls and ceilings thanks to specialized toe pads. They are common in the Philippines, often living inside houses where they help control insect pests.**
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## 🦎 What is a Gecko?
- **Classification:** Reptile, order *Squamata*, suborder *Gekkota*
- **Size Range:** 1.6 cm to 67 cm (0.6–26 inches)
- **Distribution:** Found on every continent except Antarctica, especially in tropical and subtropical regions like Southeast Asia.
- **Diet:** Mostly carnivorous, feeding on insects such as moths, mosquitoes, and cockroaches.
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## 🌙 Unique Features
- **No Eyelids:** Most geckos cannot blink; instead, they lick their eyes to clean them.
- **Night Vision:** Excellent low-light vision, up to **350 times more sensitive than human eyes**.
- **Sounds:** Unlike most lizards, geckos vocalize. The *tokay gecko* (common in Asia) makes loud mating calls, while others chirp or click.
- **Toe Pads:** Microscopic hair-like structures allow them to stick to smooth surfaces, even glass or ceilings.
- **Tail Defense:** They can shed their tail to distract predators and escape.
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## 🏠 Geckos in the Philippines
- **House Geckos (locally called “tuko” or “butiki”):** Common in homes, often welcomed because they eat mosquitoes and other pests.
- **Tokay Gecko (*Gekko gecko*):** Larger species, brightly colored, and culturally significant in Southeast Asia. In folklore, it symbolizes **good luck and fertility**.
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## ⚠️ Conservation & Risks
- **Illegal Trade:** Tokay geckos are poached in Asia for traditional medicine and superstition. In the Philippines, trading geckos without a license can lead to **up to 12 years in jail and ₱1 million in fines**.
- **Myths:** Some false claims (like curing HIV) have fueled demand, threatening wild populations.
- **Pet Trade:** Captive-bred geckos are popular pets, but wild-caught ones can be aggressive and hard to care for.
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## ✅ Quick Takeaways
- A **gecko is a lizard**, not an insect.
- In the Philippines, they are **common household companions** that help reduce pests.
- The **tokay gecko (“tuko”)** is especially notable, both culturally and ecologically.
- Be cautious of **illegal wildlife trade** and myths about their medicinal use.
Would you like me to explain the **difference between the small house geckos you see daily and the larger tokay geckos (“tuko”)** that are often linked to superstition here in the Philippines? [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gecko) [GBIF](https://www.gbif.org/species/165672950) [New World Encyclopedia](https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Gecko)
