House lizards, commonly referring to geckos like the Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), are ubiquitous in human dwellings across warm climates. Their remarkable climbing abilities are largely attributed to specialised structures on their feet, particularly their claws.
Claws and Climbing Mechanism: Unlike some other climbing lizards (like anoles or some geckos) that rely heavily on microscopic hair-like structures (setae) on their toe pads to generate adhesion, house lizards use a combination of these adhesive lamellar pads and their claws.
The underside of a house lizard's toes are covered with multiple, transverse lamellae – broad plates or scales. These lamellae are equipped with millions of microscopic bristles (setae), which further branch into even finer spatulae. These spatulae create a huge surface area that allows the lizard to generate strong intermolecular forces (van der Waals forces) with even smooth surfaces like glass. When a house lizard walks, it curls its toes upward to disengage these pads, effectively creating a "vacuum" effect as it places and lifts its feet.
In addition to these sticky pads, house lizards also possess sharp, curved claws at the end of each of their five digits. These claws are made of keratin and are crucial for providing grip and traction on rough or uneven surfaces. While the adhesive pads allow them to cling to smooth walls and ceilings, the claws are vital for:
This combination of sticky pads and sharp claws makes house lizards exceptionally versatile climbers, allowing them to cling effortlessly to walls, ceilings, and even glass, as they pursue their insect prey.
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