Gecko vs Lizard Differences and Comparison

Physical Traits:

how are geckos and lizards different?

As Geckos and lizards are reptiles they are cold-blooded. Geckos don’t have eyelids rather they have a transparent membrane which they clean by licking it while lizards have external ears and retractable eyelids.

While geckos can expel foul some foul-smelling compound to distract their aggressor when they under threat or attack; lizards don’t have such a defense.Geckos have bulbous toe pads covered with millions of microscopic hairs called setae which provide the ability to climb vertical surfaces and ceilings easily whereas lizards cannot climb straight vertical walls as they have clawed feet.

Some species of gecko and lizard can camouflage depending on the surrounding environment.Both species can regrow their tails. They use it as another defense system; when the gecko or lizard is attacked by the predator they detach their tail while the detached tail continues to wiggle and distract the predator it provides time for gecko/lizards to escape and to save themselves. However, geckos grow their tail much faster than lizards; it takes around 30 days for the gecko to regrow a functional tail whereas lizards need 60 days.

Reproduction:

How does the Geckos reproduce?

Do geckos reproduce sexually or asexually? well some species of gecko do reproduce asexually when female lay fertile eggs without mating with a male. The reproduction habits of geckos and lizards differ depending on species. Geckos lay around 8-10 eggs mostly between May and August as they prefer a warm climate. Geckos lay eggs under dark and slightly moist places such as crevices, sheds, woodpiles, etc.

How does the lizard reproduce?

Animals that lay eggs are called “oviparous”. Most lizards lay their eggs in the nest while some of them give birth to young ones. Both geckos and lizards relinquish their eggs after laying them and they don’t take care of their young ones.

Do lizards have pen!ses?

Snakes and lizards actually have not just one but two pen!ses, called hemipene. it is beleived to be beneficial during mating.

Eating habits:

What Do Lizards & Geckos Eat?

Geckos are nocturnal i.e. they prefer to hunt during the night. Their diet consist of small insects, butterflies, beetles, millipedes, crickets, caterpillars, etc. sometimes they eat small geckos too. Lizards have a wide variety of food in comparison to geckos which includes fruits, vegetation, small insects, eggs, birds, carrion, etc. Some lizards like the Komodo dragon can hunt deer and buffaloes too. Geckos and lizards are cannibalistic; they can eat individuals of the same species.

Origin:

Where do gecko lizards come from?

It is believed that geckos originated in North Africa, they unknowingly got carried away by humans and got spread around the globe. Lizards are older creatures than geckos and believed to be the first evolved reptiles as they were evolved over 200 million years ago.

Amazing Fun Facts for kids:

Facts About Geckos

• Geckos can make chirping, squeaks, and clicking sounds,
• Geckos have soft thin skin having small bumps on them
• Gecko species have one of the smallest reptiles in the world; Sphaerodactylus parthenopion is only one and a half inches long.
• Gecko doesn’t always lose their tail if their tail gets injured it heals and sometimes another tail grows there which makes gecko two-tailed.
• Geckos belong to Gekkonidae family which is mostly found in warm climates throughout the world.
• Gecko hunts on motion perception if an insect moves then only gecko attacks it. 
• Geckos have an average lifespan of about 5-7 years

Facts About Lizards

• Lizards rarely make any sound.
• Lizards have slight hard, dry, and scaly skin.
• The Jaragua lizard is the smallest lizard in the world.
• Komodo dragon is The biggest lizard breed.
• Lizards are cold blooded and Most lizards can swim.
• Lizards are reptiles of Squamata order having four limbs, external ear openings, and moveable eyelids.
• lizards have a shorter lifespan of about 1-3 years.

Types of Lizards That can be Tamed.

1. Jackson’s Chameleon
2. Panther Chameleon
3. Veiled Chameleon
4. Jeweled Lacerta
5. Mali Uromastyx
6. Bearded Dragon
7. The Chinese Water Dragon
8. Steppe Runner
9. Fire Skink
10. Blue Tongued Skink

Types of Geckos That can be Tamed.

1. Crested Gecko
2. Day Geckos
3. Gargoyle Gecko
4. Leopard Gecko
5. Pictus Gecko
6. African Fat Tail Geckos

Reptile Fight Gecko vs Lizard: Who will Win?

It is quite easy to determine the winner when a duel happens between gecko and lizard. As lizard is quite bigger than gecko, it already has a size advantage on its side. Apart from size lizard has sharp claws that can tear apart gecko any second. Gecko can only run from lizard by climbing the verticals wall but it cannot save itself from a lizard in one on one encounter. Hence, the lizard rises victoriously in a reptile duel gecko vs lizard.

Comparison Table : Gecko vs Lizard

Comparison Heads	Gecko	Lizard
Kingdom	Animalia	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata	Chordata
Class	Reptilia	Sauropsida
Order	Squamata	Squamata
Suborder	Lacertilia	Lacertilia
Physical Attributes	Have bulbous toes and big pupils and soft skin.	Have four legs, moveable eyelids, dry and scaly skin.
Number of Species	1196 species	3800 species
Venomous	Not venomous; however some species are venomous too.	Only two species of lizards are poisonous. Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard are venomous.
Lifespan	5-7 years	1-3 years

Comparison Video: Gecko vs Lizard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xRxviV6MWE

 

FAQ’S: Frequently Asked Questions