ROBIN ROSS– THOMPSON

the University of Western Cape, as they are undertaking research on the species,” he wrote to Janet.

“Tropical house geckos are able to change colour – those living near lights which are on all night are very pale and sometimes appear translucent.

“One of the photographs shows several pads under each toe which are divided down the middle into about five pairs. Each toe has a retractable claw.”

Chiel is fascinated by this photo. It shows how well nature has gifted these geckos with the means to be so mobile and quick when running up walls and smooth glass, leaping over curtains and carpets, and generally being artful dodgers while trying to escape man and beast when being chased.

The claws clutch onto rough surfaces, the pads suck onto smooth.

Kevin continues: “Original gecko tails can reach 60-90mm, are longer than the body length and have six rows of backward pointing tubercles [small, rounded protuberances].