How do geckos hunt and forage for food?
Geckos developed highly attuned senses to help them hunt and forage for food. For starters, geckos have excellent vision. Night geckos have eyes that are 350 times more sensitive to light than human eyes. This allows them to pick out colours, shapes and movements that the human eye simply cannot see. Their multifocal optical system allows them to see objects in crystal clear detail. In addition, geckos developed remarkable touch skills. Many geckos have adhesive pads on their toes that allow them to stick to almost any surface. This greatly aids them in chasing prey and running away from predators. In addition, geckos have good hearing, which they use to detect sounds and vibrations in their environment. Finally, geckos have a keen sense of smell to help them detect both predators and prey. They rely on their scent to sense potential food and locate it where it is.
Most geckos rely on ambush tactics when hunting prey, especially larger, faster prey. That said, geckos can stalk or chase slower prey, such as crickets or beetles. When pressed, geckos can run up to 3 feet per second, making them capable of chasing most slow-moving insects. Once a gecko has its target in sight, it can shoot out its long, sticky tongue to catch its prey. A gecko’s tongue is long and flexible and covered in sticky saliva, similar to a frog’s tongue. Alternatively, a gecko may forgo using its tongue and simply catch its prey with its mouth. Geckos usually have between 50 and 100 teeth, which they use to bite and hold prey. On average, a gecko will regrow and replace most of its teeth in 3-4 months throughout its life.