Gecko Cognitive Abilities
Geckos have brains. Their brain size relates to body size and activity level. Despite small brains, geckos show complex behaviors and some intelligence.
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Geckos can learn and remember. A study on leopard geckos found they could associate a color with a reward. They remembered the association after a long time. Geckos have problem-solving abilities seen in the wild.
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Advanced brains allow effective learning and precise, expansive memory. Geckos have excellent memories and can learn quickly. This helps them map their habitat to remember safe routes and spots. They also distinguish predators from prey this way.
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A study on gecko gaze-following showed they use visual cues to gather and evaluate information. This shows geckos are more complex than thought. Geckos also sometimes vocalize to communicate, unlike most lizards. So geckos are more intellectual than earlier believed.
Gecko Brain Development
University of Guelph researchers found geckos make new brain cells. This could help replace damaged human brain cells from injury, aging, or disease.
- Gecko brains constantly renew cells, which humans do poorly. The cells were in the medial cortex, managing social behavior. This relates to the human hippocampus. Researchers chemically labeled cells to track migration and development.
Gecko Behavior and Socialization
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The least common gecko sound is screaming. This signals feeling scared or in danger. Adult geckos rarely scream. Juvenile leopard geckos scream more.
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Some people think reptiles cannot socialize as they are mostly solitary. However, geckos have a brain structure working similarly to the part of our brain managing sociability.
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Inbreeding geckos for color morphs causes deformities, brain injuries, and poor cognitive function compared to wild geckos and other lizards. Geckos also have poor depth perception and survival instincts. Though they have good sight and hearing, they do not watch out for danger well. Finally, they prefer being housed alone over cooperating in groups.