This year it's all about the
The A to Z of
A LIZARD'S TAIL
A LIZARD'S TAIL
In which I will describe, show pictures of, and otherwise expound on plants and animals mentioned in the novel.
E is for El Grecko Gecko
Geckos come out at night and are the only lizard that "sings," and quite loudly, I might add. They are so pale their skin can be somewhat transparent. Sometimes you can see their veins or see the eggs a female is carrying. Their toes have special gripping qualities, rather like suction cups which give them the ability to walk upside on glass. The geckos of the Caribbean are also called wood slaves because, I think, they came over from Africa with the slaves on the slave ships. There was an old belief that if a wood slave fell on you it would suck your blood.
However, they are quite harmless and beneficial insect eaters.
But even Marvin has prejudices and preconceived notions about his pale-skinned cousin that he has to overcome.
Interesting that they're also called wood slaves in the Caribbean.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, Bish. I am terrified of lizards. Summer - which is now - invites them indoors where it is cooler. They totally creep me out. I don't mind watching them when they're outside my house though. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Zing. I know I am going to come back and read the rest simply because I am fascinated about 26 posts about lizards.
Cheers!
Vidya
http://vidyasury.com
My son would LOVE one of those!
ReplyDeleteThe original Spiderman...
ReplyDeleteI want one! Nice post - informative too!
ReplyDeleteJust love this, a wise story-telling lizard, a wonderful start to a children's book. Always looking for those.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE geckoes! And lizards, skinks and any other form they come in. Yay for geckoes :D
ReplyDeleteGeckos have fascinating gifts to survival.
ReplyDeleteI guessed that you would have a gecko for 'G'. Fascinating creature.
ReplyDeleteAre these the same ones we call Croaking Lizards?
ReplyDeleteDespite the little suckers! :(
Hi Bish - love the thought of El Greco the Gecko .. bet he has lots escapades .. such fun to read about .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I knew them as wood slaves before I knew them as geckos.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're so afraid of them Vidya since they are harmless AND beneficial.
Melanie, Never had to have one in a glass box, since they lived in our house, usually behind pictures on the wall.
Indeed, Alex.
Thank you, Keith! But I think they are better in the wild than kept as pets.
El Grecko Gecko is definitely all that, Carole Anne.
I love all kinds of lizards too, Jemima!
Susan, So many different kinds of lizards, each with their own talent.
Bob, It was a debate before me. I had to chose...
They might be, Joy. They sing at night and are quite loud. Ge-ge-ge-ge-go!
Hilary, In truth, El Grecko has more stories than he does adventures. :)
At first I hated the geckos and thought they were creepy, looking down one from the ceiling. Then I realized how harmless they were and that they ate bugs and I wrlcomed them into my home (as thought I had any other choice).
ReplyDeleteMany years ago, I was in the bathtub, and the steam from the hot water caused a gecko to slip from the ceiling - into my bath water!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't impressed.
For a long time after, I was a bit creeped out by geckos... but I've gotten over it now.
They're harmless.
Writer In Transit
Love reading about geckos. We have them in Hawaii too.. You're the first person who has called it "singing" that I know of. Usually it's chirping, barking, laughing...I wrote about them last year for the A to Z Challenge. Maui Jungalow
ReplyDeleteCrazy little boogers that was so popular in the 90s. Remember that?
ReplyDelete