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Too Creepy to Handle: «The worst ones are the ones without big biceps»
by Darina Schweizer
Love is in the terrarium: lizards are clever
20-6-2023
Translation: machine translated
This is the final episode in our series featuring some amazing exotic animals on Galaxus: today, meet the collared lizard and the leopard gecko. These two have more than one trick up their sleeves.
In this third and final episode, it's the turn of two colourful little beasts to introduce themselves: the collared lizard and the leopard gecko. This interview allowed me to learn why they shed parts of their bodies and sometimes move around on two legs.
Hello dear leopard gecko. Nice animal motif on your outfit.
Gecko: thanks, it's from my last moult!
Chic. Where's the collared lizard?
Gecko: Ah, the Mexican is late again. Look, here he comes running.
In the distance, we see a blue and yellow lizard with black stripes on its neck approaching. The collared lizard arrives out of breath.
Lizard: H...h...hola amigos, sorry for the delay.
No worries. Tell me, am I dreaming or were you walking on two legs when you arrived?
Lizard: Claro que sí. When I accelerate, my centre of gravity shifts towards the end of my body. This allows me to lift my front legs off the ground. Loco, no ?
Completely insane. Can you do that too, dear gecko? You and your friends can climb glass walls, can't you?
Gecko: Yes, I'm no exception. Instead of adhesive strips, I have claws on my paws. They're more practical in the Iranian, Iraqi and Afghan steppes.
I'll take your word for it. Besides I've got a few things for you to nibble on, crickets, cockroaches.... Help yourselves!
Gecko: Thank you, very little for me. I have to watch my figure.
Hey? But you've got rock-hard abs!
Gecko: Yes, but in my case the fat accumulates on the tail. In that respect, you could say I've enjoyed myself. But I may be getting rid of it soon.
What are you going to do?
Gecko: In case of danger, I give up my tail. It keeps wagging a bit and my enemy rushes at it. In the meantime, I take the opportunity to get my legs under me. My tail grows back after a while.
This is crazy. Let's talk about you, dear lizard. Why do you look so nervous?
Lizard: Perdona. I usually sit on a rock to get a bird's eye view.
Lizard: Perdona.
On the females, you mean?
Lizard: No, no. For that, I don't need to keep an eye on them, they give me the signal when they're ready.
What kind of sign?
Lizard: They turn reddish orange.
Okay, in that case, it's a clear yes. I hope you find an interested partner soon. Would you like a nightcap before you go?
Lizard: No, gracias. We can only absorb moisture through our skin.
Gecko: Yes, on that note, we'll return to our damp caves.
Well, adiós amigos!
The collared lizard in brief
- Origin: Mexico, western South America;
- life expectancy: 10 years or more;
- height: up to 35 cm ;
- weight: 50 grams ;
- favourite food: insects ;
- ideal housing size: 120 x 60 x 60 cm.
The leopard gecko in brief
- Origin: Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan;
- life expectancy: between 15 and 20 years;
- height: up to 25 cm;
- weight: 40 to 70 grams ;
- favourite food: insects ;
- ideal housing size: 100 x 75 x 60 cm.
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love anything with four legs or roots - especially my shelter cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. My favourite things to do are stalking around with police dogs and cat coiffeurs on reportages or letting sensitive stories flourish in garden brockis and Japanese gardens.
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