365telugu.com online news,December,28th,2025:In the vast and silent deserts of southern Africa, an unexpected sound sometimes echoes across the sand — a sharp bark that resembles the call of a small dog. Surprisingly, this sound does not come from a mammal but from a tiny reptile known as the barking gecko, a species that has intrigued scientists for decades.
These distinctive geckos belong to the Ptenopus genus and are perfectly adapted to survive in harsh desert conditions. With sandy-coloured bodies that blend into their surroundings, they rely on strong claws rather than sticky toe pads to dig deep burrows in loose sand. These underground shelters protect them from predators and shield them from extreme daytime temperatures.
Unlike most gecko species, which are largely silent, barking geckos are highly vocal. They use sound as a vital tool for communication — to defend their territory, warn off rivals, attract mates, and signal distress. Even young geckos are capable of producing soft calls when threatened, highlighting the importance of vocalisation in their survival.
Primarily nocturnal, these geckos emerge after sunset to hunt insects and other small invertebrates. Their loud calls can travel surprisingly far across the desert floor, making them one of the rare lizard species that actively use sound to interact with others of their kind.
Overall, barking geckos offer a fascinating glimpse into how communication and adaptability evolve in extreme environments. Their behaviour proves that even the smallest desert creatures have complex survival strategies, turning silence into sound in one of the world’s toughest landscapes.