The Chinese gecko

A Chinese gecko is seen on fallen leaves in Meilin Mountain in Futian District on Oct. 15, 2021. 

The Chinese gecko

In every corner of the city, you can find these small friendly reptiles. The species possesses a unique feature among the fauna of the world. 

中国壁虎是一种性情温顺的常见爬行动物。虽在深圳随处可见，它们却身怀其他物种都不具备的独门功夫。

Geckoes possess a unique system of tiny hairs in their toes, which provides them with the ability to attach themselves to or detach themselves from almost any surface instantly by creating or breaking some molecular attractions between the little hairs and that surface.

壁虎的脚趾密布刚毛，它们会吸附在接触到的表面上，产生分子引力，使壁虎可以在几乎所有的表面上自由爬行。

A Chinese gecko is seen feeding on an insect in Meilin Mountain on Nov. 23, 2021.

The Chinese gecko (Gekko chinensis) is a relatively large nocturnal lizard that grows up to 18 centimeters from snout to tail. With a whitish-grayish coloration, its back is covered by a striking mottled pattern, morphing into a dark banded tail. It has a flattened broad head with huge round yellowish eyes. When you look at those eyes close enough, you will see in each of them an impressive vertical dented pupil that provides the animal with great night vision and therefore, an asset for hunting at night.

中国壁虎昼伏夜出。它们体型较大，体长可达18厘米，体色灰白夹杂黑色斑点，尾部缀黑环，扁平的头部长着一双黄色的大眼睛，如果离得够近，还可以观察到它狭长竖直的瞳孔上分布着许多小小的凹痕，这让壁虎拥有绝佳的夜视能力，提高了夜间觅食的效率。

A Chinese gecko is seen in Meilin Mountain in Futian District on Nov. 2, 2021.

The Chinese geckoes reproduce sexually and commonly lay two eggs each time during spring, from which little 5-cm-long lizards will emerge. They feed on multiple types of insects like ants, flies, mosquitoes and moths, and fall pray to bigger animals like snakes, birds or even other lizards.

中国壁虎在春天繁殖，每窝一般产两只卵，刚破壳的幼体只有5厘米长。它们捕食蚂蚁、苍蝇、蚊子、飞蛾等昆虫，也会被蛇、鸟类甚至同类捕食。

A Chinese gecko is seen on fallen leaves in Meilin Mountain in Futian District on Oct. 19, 2021. 

Chinese geckoes play a very important role in the dynamics of our urban ecosystems and it is our job to protect them and their environment. 

中国壁虎是维系城市生态平衡的重要角色，我们既要保护它们，也要保护它们的生存环境。