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[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"39999","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":"geckofarewell"}}]]The Geckos exhibit will close May 15, and our lizard friends are heading home in style! In this blog post, animal keeper Anna Simpson from Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland tells us all about the geckos' journey. Anna has been in Indianapolis caring for the geckos while they've been at the museum.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – Lao-tzu
However when you're a gecko a single step is very, very small. So how do our geckos get from the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis back to Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in central Pennsylvania?
Each gecko will be carefully caught using nets or special cups. With the tiny (and VERY fast) jewel day geckos this can be very tricky, but species like our laid-back crested geckos can be picked up by hand. Species like our giant day geckos could drop their tails if handled incorrectly, so I have to be very gentle when I capture them. Other geckos, like our Tokay geckos, have an extremely powerful bite. I will have to watch my fingers! There are 70 geckos living at the museum right now, so catching all of them could take quite a while.
The geckos are then placed into appropriately sized containers. Each container has air holes and a damp paper towel to keep the geckos comfortably humid. All of these containers will be put into a large insulated case that will keep their temperature stable as they travel.
While the exhibits and equipment can be transported by truck, for the health and safety of our animals we prefer to send them in style… by airplane! By flying our animals, we minimize stress and get them to their destination as quickly as possible. Mr. Clyde Peeling will be piloting the private plane that will get these well-traveled reptiles back home. Compared to the 17 foot pythons, 4 foot monitor lizards, and venomous snakes he is used to transporting, flying these geckos will be a breeze! Back in Pennsylvania, enclosures will be set up and waiting for the geckos to arrive.
We know you will miss having the geckos in Indianapolis, but just because they will be leaving doesn’t mean you cannot learn more about geckos and their relatives. Local libraries, zoos and wildlife centers are great places to learn about many fascinating reptiles. And of course, if you are ever in Pennsylvania you can stop by and say “Hi” to all the geckos at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland!
In This Week's WOW, learn more about the baby geckos that hatched at the museum and hear a special farewell song from Josh and Claire:
Geckos: Tails to Toepads was created by Peeling Productions at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland.
