BFF Challenge: Guess that Gecko

TASK

Completion of this entire activity (Parts 1, 2 and 3) before the deadline (26 June 2020) will be counted as participation in one field trip. 

Part 1: Find a Gecko

1. Find a Gecko in your home or home compound.

• Tips: 
  • Look up! Scan the walls and ceilings. 
  • Listen up! The sound of Geckos’ cals gives you clues as to where they are hiding. 
  • The Geckos living around our homes are usually active at night. Try looking for them in the evening, near light sources. 
  • The presence of Gecko poop is a good sign that there are geckos around.

2. Once you find one, snap a photo of it!

Part 2: ID that Gecko

3. Try to identify the Gecko’s species. Here are some helpful hints:

• There are 4 species of Geckos that are often found in homes in Singapore.
  • Four-Clawed Gecko (Gehyra mutilata): https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/lizards/four-clawed_gecko.htm 
  • Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus): https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/lizards/spiny-tailed_house_gecko.htm 
  • Flat-Tailed Gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus): https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/lizards/flat-tailed_gecko.htm 
    • Listen to its call: https://soundcloud.com/user-594921597/hemidactylus-platyurus-flat-tailed-house-gecko?fbclid=IwAR3X-cgzuRJsuY-DFJc0LOMgLobnz8hxBIsgre8iKvbKok4uZdqPwYrlfac 
  • Maritime Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris): https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/lizards/maritime_gecko.htm
• There is no one defining feature that distinguishes Gecko species from each other. When identifying your Gecko, look at its features as a group. E.g. tail, hind feet and dorsal (back/’top-view’)colouration.
• Use Reptile guide in the SGBioAtlas app to help you!

Part 3: Compare and share

4. Describe 3 characteristics that helped you identify this species. 
5. Compare 3 characteristics/aspects of ecology of your Gecko with another lizard/lizard-like species* that can be found in Singapore.

• Choose any 3 of the characteristics/aspects of ecology below:
  • Morphological features 
  • Native or introduced?
  • Habitat
  • Natural Diet
  • Territoriality (is it known to defend a specific space that it occupies?)
  • Sociality (does it lead a solitary life, or live in groups?)
  • Activity Pattern (is it nocturnal, diurnal or crepuscular?)
  • Where can you find it in Singapore?
• *These include reptile species from the following families:

Agamid Lizards (Family Agamidae)	Anoles (Family Dactyloidae)
Skinks (Family Scincidae)	Skinks (Family Scincidae)
Other Gecko species (Family Gekkonidae)

6. Write a blog post with the following: 

• Information from (3), (4) and (5).
• Photos from (2) and of the other lizard/lizard-like species in (5).
  • Do credit the photographer. If possible, obtain permission from the photographer to use the photo.
  • Photos in the following folder may be used, with credit to Lesley Chng:
    • https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cwtp4FDuDdR2xowdRYW0MByRVBTp1jp8

7. Upload your blog post under the ‘Guess that Gecko’ category.

Deadline: 2359, Friday 26 June 2020

Additional Resources

• Check out these other blog posts about geckos in homes:
  • http://sgwildanimals.blogspot.com/2012/12/geckos.html
  • https://animalsoftanay.home.blog/2019/09/24/the-little-geckos-in-houses-butiki/