True Facts: Geckos

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Credits:
Dr. Alyssa Stark, Villanova University
Dr. Kellar Autumn, Lewis & Clark College
Dr. Rishab Pillai, James Cook University
Dr. Tim Higham, University of California Riverside
Marina Vollin, University of California Riverside
Dr. Peter Niewiarowski, University of Akron
Dr. Emily Naylor, James Madison University

Citations:

Autumn K. et al. (2014). Gecko Adhesion as a Model System for Integrative Biology, Interdisciplinary Science, and Bioinspired Engineering. 45. 445-470.
Baban NS. et al. (2022). Biomimetic fracture model of lizard tail autotomy. 375(6582):770-774.

Birn-Jeffery AV. et al. (2014). Geckos significantly alter foot orientation to facilitate adhesion during downhill locomotion. 10(10):20140456.

Brumm H. et al. (2017). Vocal plasticity in a reptile. 284(1855):20170451.
Chopin J. et al. (2018). Nonlinear Viscoelastic Modeling of Adhesive Failure for Polyacrylate Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives. 51.

Garner A. et al. (2019). Digital hyperextension has no influence on the active self-drying of gecko adhesive subdigital pads. 333. 118-125.

Gillies AG. et al. (2014). Gecko toe and lamellar shear adhesion on macroscopic, engineered rough surfaces. 217(Pt 2):283-9.

Glaw F. et al. (2022). Tail wriggling and tail autotomy give a chance to survive: Skink preying on gecko on La Digue Island, Seychelles. 045: 277-278.

Gutjahr R. et al. (2024). Gekko gecko as a model organism for understanding aspects of laryngeal vocal evolution. 227(15):jeb247452.

Hagey TJ. et al. (2014). Variation in setal micromechanics and performance of two gecko species. 133, 111–126.

Higham TE. et al. (2021). Ankle structure of the Tokay gecko and its role in the deployment of the subdigital adhesive system. 239(6):1503-1515.

Higham TE. et al. (2025). Geckos running with dynamic adhesion: towards integration of ecology, energetics and biomechanics. 228:JEB247980.

Higham TE. et al. (2016). On the origin of frictional adhesion in geckos: Small morphological changes lead to a major biomechanical transition in the genus Gonatodes.

Higham TE. et al. (2021). Jumping with adhesion: landing surface incline alters impact force and body kinematics in crested geckos. 11, 23043.

Hsu PY. et al. (2012). Direct evidence of phospholipids in gecko footprints and spatula-substrate contact interface detected using surface-sensitive spectroscopy. 9(69):657-64.

Hu S. et al. (2012). Dynamic self-cleaning in gecko setae via digital hyperextension. 9(76):2781-90.

Jusufi A. et al. (2008). Active tails enhance arboreal acrobatics in geckos. 105(11):4215-9.

Materzok T. et al. (2022). Gecko Adhesion on Flat and Rough Surfaces: Simulations with a Multi-Scale Molecular Model.

McLean KE. et al. (2011). A novel amniote model of epimorphic regeneration: the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius.

Niewiarowski PH. et al. (2016). Sticking to the story: outstanding challenges in gecko-inspired adhesives. 219(Pt 7):912-9.

Patel K. et al. (2026). Stretching and debonding of adhesive fibril.
Rasmussen MH. et al. (2022). Evidence that gecko setae are coated with an ordered nanometre-thin lipid film. 18(7):20220093.

Rizzo NW. et al. (2006). Characterization of the structure
and composition of gecko adhesive setae. 3(8):441-51.

Roth LS. et al. (2009). The pupils and optical systems of gecko eyes.

Russell AP. et al. (2021). Vocalization by extant nonavian reptiles: A synthetic overview of phonation and the vocal apparatus.

Sanggaard KW. et al. (2012). Unique Structural Features Facilitate Lizard Tail Autotomy.

Siddall R. et al. (2021). Tails stabilize landing of gliding geckos crashing head-first into tree trunks.

Stark AY. et al. (2012). The effect of surface water and wetting on gecko adhesion. 215(Pt 17):3080-6.

Stark AY. et al. (2014). Self-drying: a gecko’s innate ability to remove water from wet toe pads. 9(7):e101885.

Villey R. et al. (2017). In-situ measurement of the large strain response of the fibrillar debonding region during the steady peeling of pressure sensitive adhesives. 204, 175–190.

Vollin MF. et al. (2021). Tail Autotomy Alters Prey Capture Performance and Kinematics, but not Success, in Banded Geckos. 61(2):538-549.

Watson GS. et al. (2015). Removal mechanisms of dew via self-propulsion off the gecko skin. 12(105):20141396.

Written by Ze Frank