Thursday, September 13, 2012

Tiny Critters For Thursday...!

In a world where so many folks think that bigger is better, I thought we would examine something on the slightly smaller side.

Many times we overlook something because of the size, but nature manages to pack many of her wonders in pretty small packages! All we have to do find them to appreciate them. Here is just one example!

Virgin Islands Dwarf Gecko


On three of the British Virgin Islands lives the world’s smallest reptile. The Virgin Islands dwarf gecko is minuscule, measuring at only 18mm long and weighing a maximum of 0.15g. They live on rocky mountainsides, and tend to hide under stones in the moist shade. However, due to their small size, they are incredibly hard to find, and there are no estimates of the population size. It could equally have an abundant population or be close to extinction. Dwarf geckos are brown with a distinctive short light stripe behind each eye. Their feet have a special gripping surface that helps them climb vertically when needed. Females are slightly larger than males, and they reproduce during the wettest times of the year. Due to their small size, they lose water almost twice as fast as their larger relatives; this is thought to be why they hide in the cool, damp shade and why they reproduce only when water is plentiful.


We have to thank the fine folks over at Listverse for this article! They always have some interesting information over there, some you might like to explore when you have the time!

Coffee on the patio this morning, but we may have to move to the kitchen if the rain comes back...OK?

8 comments:

Sunnybrook Farm said...

They may be small but let's hope they don't start selling insurance! One is too many.

linda m said...

We had something very similar to the Dwarf Gecko at the animal shelter I volunteer at. It was the tiniest critter I had ever seen. Bigger is not always better.

JO said...

Now that is tiny. we have lots of small lizards around here, but of course not that tiney.

Coffee will be nice out on the patio but please no rain. 44 degrees right now.

Catman said...

Amazing what the world holds for us to discover, isn't it? Too bad so many are blind to the wealth all around them.

Dizzy-Dick said...

It is important to stop and really look around at what Mother Nature has to offer and hope she can survive awhile longer. Yes, small is better sometimes that is why I should watch my weight (grin).

HermitJim said...

Hey Sunnybrook...
I have to agree with you on that!

Thanks for the visit this morning!


Hey Linda...
You just never know when or where one of these small beauties will show up!

Big surprises in small packages!

Thanks for coming by this morning!


Hey JoJo...
When we think of small, we just never imagine something this small!

Amazing that they have managed to survive this long!

Thanks, sweetie, for dropping in today!


Hey Catman...
So many people can't even see what's right in front of their eyes, so it's no wonder they miss the small wonders of nature!

Shame on us! Hey, thanks for coming by this morning!


Hey Dizzy...
Some folks just won't slow down long enough to pay attention! Never have, never will!

Weight is just another whole story and, having the same problem, don't want to go there!

Thanks for coming by this morning!

Anonymous said...

It must be impossible to try to estimate how many of them there are :-) We only have three different kinds of lizards here and they are small (and one leg less) But they are giants compared to this one :-)

Have a great day!
Christer.

Billy Bob said...

Little critters and bugs are always welcome in my house. We sit on the couch under a light and have good conversations. By morn'n they have all gone back to their families.
Of course, flies and mosquitoes are another question. As much as I hate to, I squish the shit out them with my flyswapper.