Do geckos chirp?

21 years ago

I am trying to identify the sounds I'm hearing at night of chirping, soft warbles and trills. The sounds are very song bird like and seem to have language patterns. I know they are not coming from birds, nor crickets.

I'm left wondering if the sounds are amphibious or reptilian in nature. What do you all think? I'd really like to identify the sounds and do a little back yard research. I wonder what kind of equipment I'd need to get some good recordings.

I have geckos and tons of them and wonder if they are making the sound. I have not been able to observe what is making the sounds because the "singers" are well hidden.

Featured Answer

ksatkinson

17 years ago

I live in Montgomery County TX. I have either salamanders or geckos (they look like the banded gecko). I too have heard what sounds like baby birds chirping at night. I finally discovered the sound is coming from the geckos. I spotted one on a brick wall while shining a flashlight on it and watched it as it chirped (it sticks its tongue out while making the sound).

I think of the geckos more as pets than pests. Now I know where they are when I hear the chirping.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

herpfriend
21 years ago
Some geckos can make sounds, but I don't know of any that warble or make bird like sounds. They are probably either Gray Treefrogs or Green Treefrogs. Both live in the trees and shrubs around your house. If you leave the porch light on at night for a while, the bugs flying around the light will probably attract any treefrogs nearby. It will also attract the geckos. As their names imply, the Gray treefrog is generally gray and the Green treefrog is green. The gray treefrog can also be green, so it is sometimes hard to tell which you are looking at. The green treefrog has a white line that runs from just below the eye to the hind legs. The gray treefrog does not have this line and the undersides of their hind legs generally have an orange to yellow tint.
vlatheist
Original Author
21 years ago
Thanks for the information herpfriend. I really wish I could see these little frogs in action. They are so well hidden! I swear it can sound like one is right under my nose and I can't find it!
Related Discussions
Geckos and Lizards and Cold - Oh My!
Q
Comments (12)
I get excited when I see a snake or any other type of critter except for really big spiders when they get in my house or cockroaches/palmetto bugs. My dad had me handling snakes by the time I could walk! I like that term "Ninja Killing-Machines"! Makes me laugh everytime I picture the cats all wrapped up in black and stalking their victims! Some of my cats are killing machines some aren't. My oldest Rascal, she's nineteen, used to be are great hunter although she mostly brought home live snakes and presented them to my mom who's terrified of snakes. Eleven year old Khyssa caught a frog once but had no idea what to do with it. She carried it over to me , spat it out at my feet and gave me the most disgusted look as if to say "I can't believe I put that in my mouth!". I put the slightly soggy but perfectly fine frog back outside. Now my youngest Koneko who's 3 years old is a very active hunter who regularly patrols the garage and the front garden. Although with her she prefers to play with what she catches rather then kill it outright. Usually I'm able to rescue whatever she catches before it gets hurt.
...See More
Mediterranean House Geckos
Q
Comments (8)
Back in the late 50's and 60's you could buy the anoles and small red eared slider turtles at the State Fair. The anoles came with a piece of embroidery thread around their neck to make a collar and lead with a safety pin on the end, and you could pin them to your shirt or blouse. Of course, they were really good at slipping out of that little collar, so they didn't last for long. You all will think I am crazy, but where we live we didn't have anoles in the neighborhood (too many chemical users) so I went to Petco several years ago and bought, yes I said bought 3 anoles and let them go in the back yard, and now I have a nice population. I get new little ones every year. I can remember anoles in East Texas back in the 50's and 60's out at our country property, so I know they were at around back then.
...See More
What animal makes a 'chirp-purr' sound?
Q
Comments (10)
Thanks Mike! I hadn't thought of that. And of course I didn't know what sort of sound they make either. There are ringtails in the area. My neighbor saw one in her yard a couple of years ago, so that's probably what it is. We used to call them 'ring tail cats'. Whatever it is it's still there this morning! When my dogs starting barking and scratching at the steps it started it's chirp-purr sound again. You'd think with all the hullabaloo from the dogs it would have left during the night. On the other hand it might be nice to have it hang around to take care of mice, and hopefully rats. It's a beautiful animal! Here is a link that might be useful: Bassariscus astutus
...See More
51'Magnavox, chirping sound
Q
Comments (1)
Is the chirping sound coming from the speakers or the tv frame? Is it doing this on all stations including AV? Its it still under warranty? Try taking the ariel out of the tv and then switch on if still no picture or anything coming up on screen then its buggered and I suggest investing in a better brand. If its snowy picture or no signal comes up on screen then you have bad reception.
...See More
DaveOdd
21 years ago
Once you zero in on the sound stand still with a flashlight, possibly with a red filter then just scan every leaf to see what is there. Best way to identify the source of a herptile sound is locate the sound coming from a generally clear area such as a mowed lawn or weed free drainage ditch. The culprit will be much easier o find. Googling "Frog Calls" will give you a variety of soundbites to identify as well.

As far as geckos go, thier voice is more of a bark or a squeak coming in short bursts.

Dave
Steffani Starnino
9 years ago
hi! I have just adopted a 12 year old leopard gecko. He has been doing this bird like soft chirping just like a bird like you discribed- and interestingly enough I can't seem to find much info on this paticular noise he is making--it sounds like he is happy, posibbly trying to call for crickets? It's been about a week since I ran out and need to buy more.

They perhaps do this in the wild to hunt for crickets??

I have heard tree frogs also make this chirping sort of sound but if you have geckos in your garden don't doubt that it's them making this sound too !!
User
9 years ago
our geckos never chirped that I recall, but I chirped when they bit me.
User
9 years ago
In Montgomery Texas what you are hearing is Rio Grande Chirping Frogs. They chirp and trill on warm wet nights. They are tiny and almost impossible to find while they are calling.

There are some recordings of their calls on my blog -

Rio Grande Chirping Frog calls
Josh
9 years ago
If you want a singing gecko get a Tokay...

Do geckos chirp?

ksatkinson

Comments (8)

herpfriend

vlatheist
Original Author

Related Discussions

DaveOdd

Steffani Starnino

User

User

Josh

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Do geckos chirp?

ksatkinson

Comments (8)

herpfriend

vlatheistOriginal Author

Related Discussions

DaveOdd

Steffani Starnino

User

User

Josh

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

vlatheist
Original Author