" 'Leapin' Lizards !', Daddies Warbucks "

[manofthecoldland]

Recently  during the rainy season, its been raining cats & dogs (metaphorically) at times, as expected. But unless you've lived here awhile you might not expect something a little different falling upon you.... literally.  Namely,  lizards. Geckos, to be specific.

I've had an odd spate during the last 3 or 4 weeks. They seem to be falling off my ceiling a bit more than usual. Maybe due to mating or dominance challenge matches, but I really dunno. 

I'm often startled by a nearby "splat" sound on the floor, when they hit in the evening as I sit at my computer. What's even more disconcerting is a direct body hit.  Not exactly a body blow, but it does wake you up. Although momentarily paralyzed, they quickly scamper back to the walls and their ceiling hunting grounds. 

I do like having house lizards around since they are part of the household defense system against undesirable insects, but I wish the clumsy ones would stick to the vertical walls.  And I wish they would do their business there as well, but they seem to enjoy "Bomber Command" on my bare back at times. Oh well..... its not a perfect world here.

I always make sure to look into my glass beer mug before drinking, and cover my coffee cup with a bit of  tissue if I have to leave my desk for awhile to avoid 'surprises' when I get to the bottom. Such is life in the tropics.

I shall report at a later time re our makulit boarder, our uninvited house guest of the last month, who is driving my poor wife crazy. He/she is a Tokay lizard who makes neighboring karaoke episodes seem like bland elevator muzak.  I kind of like him since I spotted him one day with a big cockroach in his maw, so he's earning his keep, but the wife has declared war on him and is about to hire an experienced hit-man to remove him so she can peacefully sleep again. 

On a scale of 1-10,  neighboring roosters and dogs are 5.  Karaoke, 6........ the Tuko is a 10..... and proud of it.  

Edited August 16, 2020 by manofthecoldland
grammar

[manofthecoldland]

In-Home News Flash !

5 minutes ago ate Corazon's nephew, an experienced Tuko hunter, nabbed the culprit. I just returned to my computer now after viewing the tokay lizard as he was gripped with a shirt for hand protection. The young man got  a piece of paper to show me how Tuko is quick to bite with his over sized head and mouth.  He will take him to a nearby forested area and release him there.

The Mrs. is overjoyed.

Edited August 16, 2020 by manofthecoldland
mistype

[Balisidar]

My wife said she doesn't like the Tuko lizards either since their so noisy...

I haven't seen one before only the smaller geckos but if I saw one eating a big cockroach I'd definitely cheer it on.

 

[Mike J]

We had a live in Tuko for several years that we named Gary, a handsome devil.  Unfortunately I found him on the lanai several weeks ago with some suspicious looking puncture wounds that I think would match up with one of our cats.  

 

[OnMyWay]

Only speculation, but I'll bet they eat anything they can fit in their mouth, geckos included!

[Tommy T.]

There's one hanging out at the home build... He - or she - welcomes me with a loud "F**k You!" Or even growls sometimes... Okay with me so long as I don't get bit...

[manofthecoldland]

1 hour ago, Tommy T. said:

There's one hanging out at the home build... He - or she - welcomes me with a loud "F**k You!" Or even growls sometimes... Okay with me so long as I don't get bit...

I found myself laughing when I read that.

Then the thought occurred to me that people often perceive what they expect to hear or see........ and I laughed again.

Then again.... maybe yours is a genetic prodigy who learned to parrot the workmen and expects you to 'make trouble' for him when you move in.

Sorry, Tommy, but the set-up was too hard to by-pass  Your bit was truly funny.

When our captive was finally released,  it  was reported that he proclaimed "Too Cool !... Too Cool ! ".

I would have liked to kept Mr. Tuko around the place for large insect control, but the wife wouldn't have it. The women have a lot of unwarranted opinions on the creatures.

 

[Tommy T.]

1 hour ago, manofthecoldland said:

Sorry, Tommy, but the set-up was too hard to by-pass  Your bit was truly funny.

No need for sorry, Man... I know we all attribute human expressions, moods and appearances to insects and animals.

When I first mentioned my thought about what tuko was "saying," L and the foreman and any other workers burst out laughing...

The best part was when he made his f*** you sound and then I laughed and commented on that and then he made a growling sound... similar to a dog who's a bit pissed... It was really perfect!

So long as he doesn't venture inside or bite us, he is welcome to stay.

So... during every visit to the homesite, I ask about Tuko if I don't hear him... He is a buddy now...

Edited August 18, 2020 by Tommy T.

[Tommy T.]

3 hours ago, manofthecoldland said:

I would have liked to kept Mr. Tuko around the place for large insect control, but the wife wouldn't have it. The women have a lot of unwarranted opinions on the creatures.

 

Apparently they have a nasty bite and once they latch on, they don't let go... At least that's what L told me...

Another guy I know told me to just stay away from them because they have nasty bites... But, hell, what do I know???

[manofthecoldland]

19 minutes ago, Tommy T. said:

Apparently they have a nasty bite and once they latch on, they don't let go... At least that's what L told me...

Another guy I know told me to just stay away from them because they have nasty bites... But, hell, what do I know???

Correct. Their large triangular head has very powerful muscles and they can break your skin.... so I've read. Their maws also contain a lot of bacteria.  Its suggested that you use gloves and hold them behind the head when handling.  Reputed to be bad tempered as well.

There are zoological pet vids on the tube re them and other reptiles for those interested.

Also, now a protected species here in the PI.  A decade ago they were heavily hunted because the Chinese traditional folk medicine businesses were ascribing 'magical'  properties to their biology, like they do to so many other now endangered species.  False, of course.

The ones legally  bred for pets and hand raised are reputed not to be as short tempered as the wild ones.

Before bringing in the ""Spinderman" nephew, (as my wife now calls him), to snatch him off the overhead rafter the other night, I tried for 2 months to drive him away.  Lots of the proffered  suggestions on-line were ineffectual.  I placed a lot of garlic cloves halves on barbecue sticks around, but that didn't bother him a bit.  Same for the egg shell halves, that was supposedly to scare him into thinking that snakes were hatching out and around to get him. Red pepper and onions.... I didn't even bother with.

Beating the walls and areas whee he liked to hide and sing, drove him away for only 30 min. Then his little head would pop up for an all-clear now look...... and he'd carry on.

He's crepuscular, i.e., mainly active during twilight.  But ours had a great work ethic and didn't quit till 2 am at times.  He usually gave 4 or 6 repetitive calls, the last dropping in tone before ending.

The wife also put up 'sticky sheets' on the sheltered wall where he liked to hang out in the daytime, but he avoided them.... unlike the smaller geckos.

I don't  believe they are a safety threat to anyone, as long as you don't corner them so they can't run away..... which he always did.