ARE WALL GECKOS REALLY POISONOUS?

 

Few days ago I got a shared post from a friend on the poisonous nature of Wall geckos. As usual I copied and shared in a Whatsapp group without any prior search.

Not sooner than later had I dropped it that I got a striking question from another friend, any empirical evidence to support this?". 

At first I felt why would one need evidence to support the widely accepted notion of the 'poisonous' nature of wall geckos. Why look for evidence for something that has killed people in most parts of Nigeria? Was it not better one took cover?

Three days later I decided to give it a thought. I went back to search like the Berean Christian.

After a critical study, I found out there are NO scientific evidence to support that wall geckos are poisonous.

It's an illusion. The superstitious beliefs about the innocent Hemidactylus frenatus has really gone wild.

My findings :

1.Wall gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) is non-poisonous.

2. The superstitious beliefs about the innocent house lizard has really beclouded the minds of blacks especially Nigerians.

3. The purported deaths being caused by wall geckos ARE NOT due to its poisonous effect. The reason is traced to its pathogenecity e.g salmonella or botilinum that could be found on any other edible reptile as well. Pathogens on the skin surface will definitely contaminate any food leading to food poisoning.

4. Contrary to opinions of many, geckos are believed to be carriers of good omen in South east Asia.(Wikipedia)

5. In some parts of India, the sound made by geckos is considered a bad omen; while in Bangladesh and Nepal, it is considered to be an endorsement of the truthfulness of a statement made just before, because the sound "tik tik tik" coincides with "thik thik thik", which in many Indian languages, means "right right right", i.e., a three-fold confirmation(wikipedia

Interestingly I fell for the post when my friend shared it with me. It was not until I got that question that I had to go and search like the Berean Christian.

My Lessons:

1. 'Never call Unclean what God has created'.
2. Don't just believe a popular opinion about a person or thing until you have drawn close to know the person or subject.
3. What is popular may not be proper.
4. We err because we don't search.
5. Questions are door way to discoveries. Always welcome them.

PS: The non-poisonous nature of Hemidactylus frenatus should not underplay the importance of good hygiene and best home and kitchen practices.

By Peculiar.