How to Identify and Classify Geckos
  • 1. What is the most defining characteristic of geckos, compared to other lizards?
A) A forked tongue
B) Detachable tails
C) Adhesive toe pads
D) Fixed eyelids
  • 2. Most geckos are active during what time of day?
A) Crepuscular
B) Arboreal
C) Diurnal
D) Nocturnal
  • 3. What type of scales are commonly found on gecko skin?
A) Ganoid
B) Granular
C) Placoid
D) Scutes
  • 4. Which toe pad structure is composed of microscopic, hair-like projections?
A) Claws
B) Spikes
C) Setae
D) Lamellae
  • 5. What is the primary function of the gecko's detachable tail?
A) Balance
B) Food storage
C) Predator avoidance
D) Thermoregulation
  • 6. What is the term for the process of a gecko shedding its skin?
A) Crypsis
B) Aposematism
C) Autotomy
D) Ecdysis
  • 7. The shape of a gecko's pupil helps indicate if it's nocturnal or diurnal. What pupil shape is typical for nocturnal geckos?
A) Horizontal slit
B) Vertical slit
C) Round
D) Triangular
  • 8. Where do most geckos lay their eggs?
A) In the open
B) Inside a nest
C) In water
D) In a hidden location
  • 9. What is the primary diet of most geckos?
A) Small mammals
B) Plants
C) Fish
D) Insects
  • 10. Which family of geckos are known for their unique leaf-like tails for camouflage?
A) Eublepharidae
B) Uroplatus
C) Gekkonidae
D) Sphaerodactylidae
  • 11. What characteristic helps distinguish geckos in the Eublepharidae family from other geckos?
A) Tail shape
B) Size
C) Eyelids
D) Toe pads
  • 12. What type of vocalization do some geckos use for communication?
A) Clicking or chirping
B) Roaring
C) Growling
D) Hissing
  • 13. What is the function of the lamellae located on a gecko's toe pads?
A) Provide protection from abrasion
B) Absorb moisture
C) Sense vibrations
D) Increase surface area for adhesion
  • 14. Geckos that lack adhesive toe pads typically live in what kind of environment?
A) Aquatic
B) Aerial
C) Terrestrial
D) Arboreal
  • 15. What is one way geckos regulate their body temperature?
A) Basking in the sun
B) Sweating
C) Panting
D) Shivering
  • 16. What is the term for the coloration that helps a gecko blend into its environment?
A) Dichromatism
B) Crypsis
C) Mimicry
D) Aposematism
  • 17. Which family of geckos is known for their small size (often under 3 inches)?
A) Gekkonidae
B) Diplodactylidae
C) Sphaerodactylidae
D) Eublepharidae
  • 18. What is the scientific term for the study of reptiles and amphibians?
A) Herpetology
B) Ichthyology
C) Ornithology
D) Entomology
  • 19. Which of these is NOT a common habitat for geckos?
A) Deserts
B) Tropical rainforest
C) Arctic tundra
D) Temperate forests
  • 20. What is the role of the cloaca in geckos?
A) Respiration
B) Circulation
C) Excretion and reproduction
D) Digestion
  • 21. What is the main difference between gecko scales and the scales of a snake?
A) Gecko scales are smoother; snake scales are rough
B) Gecko scales are granular; snake scales are overlapping
C) Gecko scales are larger; snake scales are smaller
D) Gecko scales are thicker; snake scales are thinner
  • 22. What reproductive strategy do some gecko species utilize when males are scarce?
A) Viviparity
B) Ovoviviparity
C) Parthenogenesis
D) Hermaphroditism
  • 23. How can you determine the sex of some gecko species?
A) By their vocalizations alone
B) By their size alone
C) By their coloration alone
D) By examining the presence of preanal pores in males
  • 24. What does 'arboreal' mean in the context of gecko habitat?
A) Living in deserts
B) Living in burrows
C) Living in water
D) Living in trees
  • 25. What is one threat to gecko populations in the wild?
A) Increased rainfall
B) Overpopulation
C) Cooler temperatures
D) Habitat loss
  • 26. What does 'nocturnal' mean in the context of gecko activity?
A) Active at dawn and dusk
B) Active during the day
C) Active in the water
D) Active at night
  • 27. What is the function of the nictitating membrane in some geckos?
A) Protects the eye
B) Enhances hearing
C) Aids in smelling
D) Helps with balance
  • 28. How do geckos find their prey in the dark?
A) Using echolocation
B) Using electrical fields
C) Excellent vision and sensing vibrations
D) Using smell alone
  • 29. What is the main reason geckos shed their skin?
A) To waterproof their skin
B) To attract mates
C) To grow and remove parasites
D) To change color
  • 30. Which family of geckos are known for their fat tails?
A) Sphaerodactylidae
B) Diplodactylidae
C) Eublepharidae
D) Gekkonidae
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