Gecko

This is a photo of a gecko who was hanging upside down on the ceiling of the balcony/patio of our condo in the Playa Langosta neighborhood of Tamarindo. This picture is not the best quality because it was taken at night. As I mentioned in yesterday's post of a baby iguana, most geckos are nocturnal.

Another difference between geckos and baby iguanas is also clearly seen in this photo. This gecko has pads at the end of its toes, whereas all iguanas have claws. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you will be able to see a single claw at the end of each pad on this gecko.

The gecko's pads have many microscopic hooks that enable them to climb any surface, even a surface as smooth as glass. The can also hang upside down on a ceiling, as this photo shows.

The geckos make distinctive chirping sounds. The photo above was taken with a flash, which accounts for the reflective eyes.