One thing no one told me about Mexico is that I would have pets here, the common house gecko. They are super cute tiny tan-coloured lizards with big eyes.
As most of you know, I have absolutely no problem with reptiles, so I haven’t had a hard time getting used to my tiny housemates. They earn their keep by eating bugs.
I might not have expected lizards here, but I did expect bugs, and tons of them. Nope. I do have a fairly large spider in the office that has been hanging around for at least a week, but otherwise, I’ve had almost no issues with mosquitoes or other critters. I often catch my little geckos eating bugs.
I usually only see the geckos if I surprise them. They hide behind pictures, wiring, and headboards and scurry back into hiding when they see me. I once caught one on the (interior) window screen in my bedroom.
It’s the largest one I’ve seen yet!
After one particularly cold night, I actually woke up to one in bed with me! I gave it quite a fright when I rolled over!
Geckos are named for the sound they make, but I’m pretty sure I haven’t heard it yet.
Between the geckos, the iguanas, and the guys on the beach walking their snakes, this reptile lover is in paradise!
The one bug you do not want to meet is the sand flea which celebrate sundown by eating your feet and lower legs!
I see that a lot in pictures from Isla de la Piedra, people scratching their ankles. Must be those pesky sand fleas.
Those sound straight out of my nightmares!
I imagine you must have heard a gecko chirping by now but maybe didn’t recognize the sound. Another name for the house gecko in Spanish is besucón…which literally means big kisser. The sound is like one might make by pursing one’s lips and sucking in.
I had the same thought that I might have heard one, but I haven’t yet had a moment where I’ve gone “What, praytell, is that noise?”
The Spanish name is too cute!