African Wildlife & Environment Issue 80

Researchers have also been playing around with how, based on the learnings of the gecko feet, a man can climb up a glass wall without any ropes or ladders! This inspired a spiderman climb up a glass wall, all based on the findings of the gecko foot.

Take a look

The large eye of the gecko has no eyelids. The outer surface of the eyeball is a clear membrane so they cannot blink. So how do they keep their eyes clean?With a lick of their tongue.

Take a look

A gecko that barks…. The barking gecko digs a burrow with a funnel-shaped entrance. From just before sunset, for a few hours, the males call from these burrows to attract females and to defend their territory.Their call can be heard from a few hundred meters away, as the shape of the burrow acts like a megaphone.They forage after dark in search of insects and termites and, when not hiding, they in turn are a tasty snack for genets, foxes and owls, to name a few of their predators.Take a listen to the barking gecko. Take a listen

The tale of the gecko tail Gecko tails serve many different purposes.The tail helps the gecko to balance when climbing, acts as a fuel tank storing fat as well as camouflage to help them disappear. However, sometimes the gecko is spotted by a predator and then it does something very interesting. It easily escapes the attacker by losing the tail in hurry to distract a predator.The tail has built-in lines of weakness just like perforated paper, enabling the gecko to shed its tail. It is then able to regrow a new tail within a month. Scientists are interested in how quickly they can regrow their new tail.What can be learnt about wound healing and tissue redevelopment for humans? Take a look

Once in a while the gecko sheds its skin which comes off in patches. Then the skin becomes a tasty treat for the gecko,Yuck!

We have a great gecko and spiral game for you on the next page. You will need dice and a cup. The rules are easy; when you land at the tail of the gecko up you go. But when you land at the top of a spiral down you go! See who can climb the geckos the quickest and win, and who slides down the spirals and loses!

GET BUSHWISE WITH NADINE

This bumper edition, of Get Bushwise: On Safari Desert, River, Bushveld comprising three lively children's nature guides, brings together a treasure trove of information, colourful images, games and activities for young readers.A local guide leads adventurers on safaris into three surprisingly varied worlds: the bushveld, a river and a desert. Each environment brings its unique flavour to the adventure; multiple images (both photos and illustrations) and interesting text introduce the region's fascinating wildlife with its intriguing habits and lifestyles. Readers are encouraged to play along by means of engaging activities, games and quizzes, with answers at the end of each section. Nature's edible treats and useful props are introduced, along with survival techniques for the young explorer. Click here for more info

63 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 80 (2021)