Gekko gecko LINNAEUS 1758

Tokay Gecko

Species recognized by P Uetz, TIGR Reptile Database external link in 
IUCN Red List Status: NOT EVALUATED external link Showing: scientific names

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Gekko gecko LINNAEUS 1758

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Gekko gecko
Gekko gecko (Linnaeus, 1758)
Gekko gecko (Linnaeus, 1758)
Gekko gecko (Linnaeus, 1758)
Gekko gecko (Linnaeus, 1758)
Gekko gecko (Linnaeus, 1758)
Gekko gecko (Linnaeus, 1758)

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General Description

Focusing mechanism enhances vision: Tokay gecko

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AskNature external link
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©2008-2009, The Biomimicry Institute. Some rights reserved external link
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The Biomimicry Institute
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The eyes of a Tokay gecko allow it to see well even when its pupil is reduced to pinprick size due to tiny holes that focus light on the same area of the retina.

   
  "The strange eye of a Tokay gecko can see only in black and white. The gecko hunts mainly by night, so has no great need for colour vision. Photographed in bright light the gecko's vertical pupil has closed down to a narrow slit to prevent the high light intensity damaging its sensitive retina, but a series of small holes remains open. It is thought that light passes through these holes to be focused on the same area of the retina, allowing the gecko to see well even when it's dim." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:11)
  Learn more about this functional adaptation.
References
  • Foy, Sally; Oxford Scientific Films. 1982. The Grand Design: Form and Colour in Animals. Lingfield, Surrey, U.K.: BLA Publishing Limited for J.M.Dent & Sons Ltd, Aldine House, London. 238 p.
"Gekko gecko LINNAEUS 1758". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/794412". Accessed 18 Mar 2010.