GECKO
			Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Chordata Reptilia Squamata Geckkonidae

Known for their gymnastic ability to scale walls, and for their nocturnal nature, geckos form a large family of lizards. Geckos are one of the only lizards that utter special calls.

The largest of the species is the tokay gecko, which lives in Southeast Asia, and catches mice as well as insects for food. It measures up to 14 inches long (36 cm). The smallest species is about one-tenth that length. Geckos live in all warm countries. Most live in trees, some among rocks, and others in the desert.

Tree geckos can often be found in buildings. They hide in crevices by day, and at night they feed on insects attracted to the artificial lights. For this reason, many pet-shop keepers use tokay geckos as a means of pest control.

The underside of a gecko's toes have countless tiny hooks that catch in the slightest roughness, even in a sheet of glass. This is why they are such expert climbers. Much like cats, night-active geckos have vertical-slit pupils. The few that run around by day have eyes with rounded pupils.

Some geckos bear live young, but most lay two eggs with a tough white shell. These are hidden under bark or stones and take months to hatch.