Exhibit Highlights | Geckos - Tails to Toepads
Exhibit Highlights for “Geckos—Tails to Toepads”
Now through September 7, 2009
Bulging eyes built for night vision, ‘sticky’ toepads that can climb glass, squawking voices, extreme camouflage, and disposable body parts separate the geckos from your typical reptile. This special exhibit showcases their remarkable diversity and biology through live gecko habitats, engaging interactives, and informative displays.
Live Gecko Habitats
A total of 14 naturalistic habitat stations feature 13 species of live geckos from around the world. State-of-the-art controls provide lighting, humidity, temperature, and water quality to meet the needs of these delicate creatures. Go to the Gecko Gallery for a sampling of these live geckos.
Interactive Stations
Explore for yourself the unusual and surprising world of the gecko with the help of touchscreen videos and hands-on interactives.
What Does a Gecko See?
Learn about the gecko's remarkable abilities to see in the dark. Can you see what it sees?
Build-A-Gecko
Specialized feet, eyes, skins, and tails have allowed geckos to occupy a range of habitats—from rainforest trees to desert sand dunes. Choose from among these survival accessories to “customize” each species to best match its environment.
Ask the Gecko Expert
Get answers to common questions about geckos and learn about cutting edge research from Dr. Aaron Bauer, a professor at Villanova University and one of the world's leading experts on geckos.
Loud Mouths
Geckos squawk, click, chirp, bark, or growl to defend themselves, announce territories, or attract mates. Gecko calls can be startling and some of them can be really loud. Find out what they're saying.
Predator Challenge
Some geckos are incredibly good at blending into their surroundings. How quickly can you spot the hidden gecko?
The Hunt for New Species
Learn about scientific collections, gecko anatomy, and sequencing their DNA from Academy scientist Anthony Geneva. Use what you've learned to discover a new species.
Is That a Gecko?
Many people can't tell the difference betwen a gecko and other creatures.
See if you can pick out the real geckos.
Other Exhibit Attractions
Disposable Parts
What if you can't outrun an enemy and you're too small to fight? Learn more about how geckos will sacrifice their tails—or even their skin—when faced with danger.
Designer Gecko
Pet breeds aren't just for dogs and cats. Learn about the power of artificial selection from a video featuring Ron Tremper, the pioneer of Leopard Gecko breeding.
Geck-Nology: The Secrets of Gecko Adhesion
Although small, the gecko has an incredibly strong grip. Find out their secret and how this remarkable ability inspires cutting-edge technologies from videos featuring biologist Dr. Keller Autumn.
What's for Dinner?
Tokay Geckos have big appetites.
Join us for feeding times throughout the day.
“Geckos—Tails to Toepads” was created by Peeling Productions at Clyde Peeling's REPTILAND.
Photos by Joe McDonald and Dave Northcott, courtesy of Reptiland.