Nature and Life Episode 134 (Tokay Gecko & Garden Lizard)
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Bangladesh is rich with natural resources for its geographical position.
Various Reptiles have grown in this country.
Apart from Snake, Crocodile and Turtle there is another class of reptiles available in nature.
That class includes: House Lizards, Skinks, Common Garden Lizards, Monitor Lizards etc. and they are commonly termed as Lizard.
Monitor Lizards are harmless giant Lizard.
3 species of Monitor Lizard found in our country.
Tokay Gecko and Garden Lizard are remarkable among Lizards.
Lizards are more or less found in all continents of the world except Antarctica.
Tokay Geckos & Garden Lizards roam freely in our evergreen forest, bushes and house yards.
They are vital for scientists because of their evolutionary significance.
Besides, they have huge contribution in maintaining natural equilibrium.
Tokay Geckos can be seen in bushy areas around forest and human habitat.
They can also be seen in deep rain forests, deserts or in any cold places.
Their tail is almost as long as the length of their head and body together.
Though they have Fleck on their body but there are disk shaped spots on their tail.
They are easily spotted because of their bright color.
For they have adhesive toe pads, they can move on trees and walls easily.
They are carnivorous.
They silently observe their prey and hunt hastily when within range.
When finished feeding, they take rest and keep their tongue moving in and out of mouth.
During daytime they hide in house curves or in tree sockets but become active at night and keep calling loudly.
They sometimes call this way to attract opposite sexes.
Skinks are another lizard species like Tokay Gecko.
Unlike Tokay Gecko, Skinks have smooth skin.
They are commonly found in bushes and around human habitat.
They have comparatively small legs.
Our House Lizards also look almost like Tokay Gecko.
But the size of their tail is bigger than the combined total size of their head and body.
They can be seen everywhere from human habitat to forests and bushes.
When moving, they maintain their balance with their tail.
Garden Lizards are very common reptile of our country.
Their tail is long compared to their body.
They sway their tail, during movement, to keep balance.
For their sharp nail, they can easily move on trees as well.
They wait silently for their prey and if found within range, they consume very fast.
They help in maintaining environmental balance by feeding on small insects, Larva, small frogs etc.
But some species feed on fruits and leaves.
They like to hide behind bushes.
But they flee hastily to save themselves if they hear even the scantiest sound of their enemy.
With time and evolution, some species of Garden Lizard have learnt to fly.
They are known as Flying Lizard.
Common people term all species of Garden Lizard as Bloodsucker.
Because the prevailing superstition is that- they suck human blood from far.
In fact, when afraid or for self-defense their head become reddish.
Also during breeding season their neck and head become reddish.
Ecologically vital these animals are not ferocious at all.
The number of these harmless animals is gradually falling due to people's fallacies and deforestation.
Because of superstitions, the number of Tokay Gecko has already decreased to great extent.
Accordingly, other organisms that depend upon these lizards are also harmed and so the whole ecosystem of the country is now threatened.
We all are responsible to conserve these animals by ensuring safe habitation for them in order to have a better world.
Planner, Director and Anchor: Muqeed Majumdar Babu.
Research & Script: Mushfiq Ahmed, Shamim Ahmed.
Subtitle: A M M Khairul Anam (Mithu).
Voiceover: Khairul Ahasun Shohag.
Video Editor: Arif Baharder.
Coordinator: Kibria Saroar Roman.
Cameraman: Billal Howlader.
Panel Producer: Sohel Mazumder.
Website: www.pojf.org