Not So Creepy After All: The Secret Life of Geckos in the Andamans

Tiny Guardians of the Night

Geckos, for all their quiet presence, have long been misunderstood. But spend a little time in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and that feeling begins to change. Because here, geckos aren’t intruders. They’re part of the rhythm of the islands—gentle, useful, and quietly essential.

Why They Matter

Geckos are natural pest controllers, feeding on mosquitoes, moths, and insects we’d rather not have around. They are harmless, unobtrusive, and play a small but vital role in keeping ecosystems balanced.

Lizards & Geckos You Might Meet

1. Andaman day gecko

Bright green and active by day, like a small fragment of the forest in motion.

2. Andaman bent-toed gecko

Perfectly camouflaged, blending into bark and forest floors.

3. Short-crested bay island forest lizard

A true forest dweller, often seen perched quietly on trunks, its subtle crest catching the light.

4. Andaman skink

Smooth and quick, these ground-dwellers dart through undergrowth in flashes of bronze.

5. Giant Andaman gecko

Large and striking, almost prehistoric in appearance—yet completely harmless and deeply shy.

A Small Shift

Perhaps geckos aren’t “creepy”—just misunderstood.

Look a little closer, and they become something else entirely: still, precise, and quietly essential to island life.