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Posted on 02/16/2008 6:08:10 PM PST by BGHater
A bizarre relationship between a gecko and a sap-sucking insect has been caught on camera for the first time.
The day gecko, which lives in the forests of Madagascar, has been recorded begging a bug for its dinner.
The lizard repeatedly nods its head at the insect, called a plant hopper, until it flicks over small balls of honeydew for the gecko to dine upon.
It is not yet understood why the insect so willingly offers up honeydew at the lizard's behest.
Some believe that the presence of the hungry geckos may keep other predators away from the insect.
The footage was recorded for the BBC One series Life In Cold Blood.
It took the crew several attempts to capture this strange behaviour on camera as plant hoppers are very well camouflaged.
Life In Cold Blood is on BBC One on Monday, 18 February at 2100 GMT and is repeated on BBC One on Sunday, 23 February.
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It’s quite simple really. The Gecko just helped the insect save a load of money on it’s car insurance.
The insect, being grateful and all, is happy to offer the Gecko a treat.
I thought he was busy selling insurance. ;-)
I thought geckos eat bugs. Friends of mine who used to live in a tropical climate would place geckos strategically on window and door screens so they could snap up insects. What gives with these two species?
As long as it was consensual and no money changed hands, we should leave them to their business.
I knew that was coming but it’s still funny!
lol.
I’m surprised I was the first!
So do ants. Yet aphids have convinced them to protect them in exchange for honeydew.
It's a strange world...
groveling gecko = dependent democratic voter
sap-sucking insect = democratic politician
Yeah, tonight I saw one beg an Otter for clams. Geckos love clams.
Sounds like blackmail or a Gecko protection racket.
Touché!
My company had one of those 7-8lb anchors, back in the mid-80s. Good for 30mins before needing a recharge. No reception in the tunnels on ConRail or Amtrack. I got several turns using it and impressing everyone I called, while in transit to/from work in NYC.
Can’t remember who-the-heck made it; senior moment...
They do. They also eat flower petals, melon, strawberries, bits of scrap meat, meal worms...
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Gecko and bug's bizarre relationship revealed