Geckos Galore!

The island is alive. There are critters galore and so far the kids’ favorite is the little cute gecko. Before moving to Guam, we had never seen any geckos except in the clever Geico commercials. You have to admit of all the reptiles they are small and utterly charming with their large eyes and little bitty feet.

Geckos are the only lizards that have a voice. Some species of geckos make a squeaking or clicking noise that sounds like "gecko," hence their name. Most geckos are nocturnal which explains why for a while there we always saw a little one nightly. Just around bedtime we’d have our gecko “sighting”. We’d be reading books and settling down when all of a sudden someone would cry out, “Gecko!” and you’d hear squeals and the sound of everyone’s feet, including the baby’s, pattering across the floor to say hello!

I have to admit I find the geckos charming as well. They are innocent, harmless to humans and eat mostly insects. What more could you ask for in house guest critter? They are welcome anytime!

Sheila Cason, MD