Gekkotah
[GEH-^koh-dtah] : also known as "Geckos."
Small, semi-intelligent desert lizards that thrive in cool areas and waterholes.
An individual lizard is known as a "Gekoh," or, among Walkingfolk, a "Gecko." Collectively, they are known as "Gekkotah," though over the years the term has relaxed, and they are equally called "Gekohs" or "Geckos" when in groups.
Basic Information
Anatomy
A Gekoh has four legs, which end in four broad, unique toes: the unique skin texture allows them to move over all manner of surfaces with ease.
They have a long tail for balance, and stubby, diamond-shaped heads attached to thick necks. Unlike most lizards, Gekkotah have eyelids, and blink.
Gekkotah are unique for their skin: though at first glance it appears to be smooth scales, it is actually a series of knob-like protrusions. These protrusions allow the Gekoh to repel water and grime, keeping them remarkably healthy for creatures who otherwise seem to quite like the dirt.
Genetics and Reproduction
Geckos prefer to mate in private, and are remarkably good at finding these locations as often as possible.
Growth Rate & Stages
Gekkotah begin small, and as they grow, shed and devour their external skins. It is supposed that could a Gecko survive long enough without something else eating it, it could grow to be quite quite large. Good luck with that, though: they are a favored food of the Birdfolk.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Geckoes are omnivorous, but tend to prefer:
- -- Crunchable Insects
- Seeds and nuts
- Tender greens
- Meats, typically (but not always) small grubs or newly deceased carrion
- Starches, usually in the form of shoots
Additional Information
Social Structure
Geckos tend to gather in groups around water. Though they do not have pack mentalities, geckos manage to cohabitate with each other decently well, competing lightly over ideal sleeping spots and the occasional sandwich.
Domestication
Extreme homebodies, Geckos might live their entire lives at one watering hole. As a result, they do make excellent pets or farmed livestock, as they do not require large amounts of land, so long as their needs are met.
If their needs aren't met, they are excellent escape artists.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Birdfolk consider gecko meat a delicious treat, and eat them whole, fresh, and raw as well as steamed/fried. The softer bones of the geckos are easy to chew or swallow without consequence. Gecko tails are often pickled.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Geckos are widely found through The Hotlands, though they are also found in groups within the cooler areas of the Kkaxe River Canyon, and at any desert watering hole. They are less common along the Southern coast (due to the higher numbers of predatory fauna seabirds), and are most likely the result of released pets going wild (or, at least as wild as geckos seem to go).
For those who reside at watering holes and folk habitats, they are very used to folk presence. Though they are a bit more wary around Birdfolk and Fox folk (who are known to catch and eat them), they are less cautious around Walking folk, who do not have a demonstrated tendency to eat them on the spot.
They are generally not found in colder Northern regions, unless kept as indoor pets.
Average Intelligence
Though they do not ascend to the same levels of fullness as sapient folk, Gekkotah seem fairly intelligent in some ways, much to the chagrin of those who keep them as pets, or raise them as contained livestock.
A Gecko, given a maze, will solve it. Given the same maze, they will use their memory to solve it again; given a similar maze, the Gekoh is observed using the original path as a first means to attempt to solve it. Gekkotah can be trained using reward systems.
Gekkotah also demonstrate the ability to tell the different races of folk apart. They will actively avoid Birdfolk, remain cautious around Foxen, and can be downright chummy with Walkingfolk.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
It is said that the Gekkotah have excellent night vision, but no one has confirmed this and the lizards certainly aren't telling any secrets.
Interactions
Geckos are not aggressive, but as omnivores, they will steal your lunch if they think you aren't looking. Geckos are known to flare out their neck frills in efforts to appear bigger. When posturing amongst themselves, the gecko with the largest frill is generally considered to the be winner. With their lacy neck frills and large eyes, they are surprisingly adorable for their size, especially to Walking and Fox Folk, who are known to adopt them as pets. Unfortunately, the Birdfolk also find them to be surprisingly delicious.Method of Attack
Geckos tend to sneak, creeping up slowly on unsuspecting sandwiches. They use their camouflage skills to conceal themselves, and then tend to rush their prey.Method of Defense
Camouflage is common strategy. In smarter geckos, it's paired with running for cover. Geckos are fairly swift for their size, and can cover distances quickly.Sounds
Mostly silent, geckos usually make small, airy coughing noises. In evenings, areas with high concentrations of geckos report a quiet "trilling" sound.
Lifespan
It is believed that the larger the Gekoh, the older it must be. The oldest known Gekoh in captivity, Horace, lived to be 18 years of age and grew to a length of 20 inches, until he died from choking on a scuppernong grape.
Conservation Status
Gekkotah are swift-breeding. Among the Birdfolk, this is considered ideal, as Gekkotah are hunted or raised as livestock. Among the Walkingfolk and Foxen, Gekkotah are viewed similar to rabbits: sometimes as pets, often as livestock, and - outside of those two uses - usually something of a nuisance, prone to taking over.
Average Length
Around the size of a hand from tip to tail, the geckos look you over with what feels like oddly intelligent appraisal.
Average Physique
Long, thin, and narrow, the gecko slithers into small gaps with ease.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
These geckos change color, appearing mostly in the shades of their environment, with occasional colorful bursts as mating displays. Geckos usually have spotted tails and backs to help them camouflage themselves into the desert.
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