The gecko is a small animal that can be found in homes throughout Brazil. Although many people fear or dislike it, these animals are directly related to the well-being and safety of the home.

To better understand and know the role of this “keeper of the houses”, no data+ talked to biologist and professor at UFSC (Federal University of Santa Catarina) Selvino Nequel de Oliveira.

Lizards are small animals that usually live in houses and play a very useful role for people. — Photo: Pixabay/Reproduction/ND

Lizard

According to Neckel, lizards or geckos are lizards belonging to the family geckosand that is why in other countries they are also called geckos.

“Typically, these are animals that can easily climb, walk on walls, including glass, and even walk on the surface of ceilings, thanks to modified bristles on their paws that interact with the surface, creating an attractive force known as Wand.” der force. Waals.

Lizard natural habitat

The biologist says that most species of geckos (small lizards) live in Africa. Including the species we find in our homes, Hemidactylus mabuyapopularly known as the wall lizard, it came from Africa, that is, it is an exotic species.

“During the day it hides in holes in the wall or even under objects such as vases and bricks, and at night it comes out to feed, walking mainly along the walls in search of insects,” says the professor.

Diet and home security

The specialist explains that these animals mainly feed on insects such as mosquitoes, cockroaches and moths.

“Because they feed on insects, they directly benefit us by reducing the populations of these insects, such as those we ‘fear’, ‘turn away’ from cockroaches, or even those that harm us, such as clothes moth and tree moth. .-book”.

Life cycle

According to the professor, in nature they lay their eggs among the bark of trees or on the ground. The wall gecko, on the other hand, can use any crevice or hidden place to lay its eggs, and after a few weeks, the young are born.

Threats and conservation

For Neckel, the main threat to geckos comes from pets such as cats and dogs, which are voracious predators of geckos.

“Another source of threat is our daily habits, for example, when we are afraid and take hasty actions, such as trapping and taking away from home, which usually leads to the death of the animal,” the specialist explains.

“As a rule, conservation measures are taken for endangered species, which cannot be said for house geckos. But nothing prevents us from taking measures to avoid the death of the animal, just leave it where it is, not throw the horseshoe and not scare him to leave.

The biologist emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with domestic lizards, which are plentiful and their natural habitat is in our homes. “What we need to do is to live in harmony with these animals, leaving them alone.”