Day 5 Thurs 5th
The Gecko Hunter
Leaf-Tailed Gecko - Saltuarius Cornutus
This beautiful leaf-tailed gecko is very conspicuous against a blue background!!! Fooled ya!
Meet the Scientist
Scientist: Arnaud Gourret Country of Birth: France
Lived in Brazi,Morocco, Taiwan, Sydney, Tokyo, Townsville
Degree: Marine Biology & Zoology
Honours: – Chytid fungus effects on Lowland frogs.
Doctorate: Studying the movement of the gecko - which is extremely difficult as they are nocturnal. Arnaud is trying to find their retreat sites - their microhabitat - that is, where do the gecko hide during the day? This directly relates to the climate change research - as we need to know their preferred temperature so it can be determined whether the gecko will survive the increased temperature due to global warming.
A self-confessed "adrenaline junkie", Arnaud enjoys the challenge of the gecko night hunting and climbing trees!
Fluorescent Tagged Leaf-Tailed Gecko
How 'cool' is this? The scientists are trialling ways to "hunt" the gecko during the night. One method was to glue a fluorescent tube to the gecko's back and then sit under a tree and monitor it's movement. It was like a glowing candle in the dark!!!