Have you wondered how geckos are able to climb smooth surfaces and crawl upside down? How do geckos magnetize themselves to any kind of surface? What makes their feet so sticky, without leaving a print?
Did you know that everything around you is made up of atoms? When God created the universe, He first made atoms and then used them as a building block to create all things. But what are atoms? Atoms are made up of particles known as electrons, neutrons, and protons. Different atoms are created by the various combinations or recipes of these three particles. There are 92 naturally occurring atoms that form the elements of the world.
Atoms attract other atoms to make up matter. When atoms join hands, they form elements and compounds. These compounds create many kinds of substances through different ratios and combinations of molecules.
Learn more about atoms with this video.
Atoms are invisible to the naked eye. We need special microscopes to see them. So, just how small is an atom?
Does this blow your mind? My mind explodes because atoms show me how complex our God is to have created such MICROSCOPIC but POWERFUL particles that make-up atoms which create molecules that design elements that arrange themselves to make everything. My mind goes BOOM!
Phew! Wow! Will we remember all that? Let’s recap with an atom song.
Atoms, molecules, compounds, and elements. What has this to do with geckos? Well, it has to do with positive electrons attracting compounds together that enable the gecko’s digits to ‘stick.’ Since my mind is already blown with all this complexity, let’s watch this video to find out how exactly that works.
Take a closer look at the gecko’s feet to see the setae and spatulae up close with this video.
Now, geckos also use their tails to balance themselves when they loose their footing and the tail is used to steer itself while falling to land on its feet. This is so amazing. Watch it!
Use Gecko’s Sticky Feet colouring page to recap all you have learned.
We encountered a gecko recently lazing in the sun. It was still pretty cold from the Autumn morning freshness, so we were able to gently observe it without it scurrying away in a hurry.
We admired its pattern, watched it lick its eyes, and looked closely at its digits. We marveled at its thin skin. Can you believe the gecko contains millions of atoms joined together in molecules making compounds and elements? It’s extraordinary!
Geckos have so many amazing features, and their ‘sticky’ feet are just one of them.
Table of Contents
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GECKOS?
Investigate geckos in the Backyard Nature Study Guide | Summer / Autumn | Volume 5.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:
Counting Spots | Lady Beetles
Grasshoppers
Identifying Eucalyptus Trees
EARN YOUR NATURE CLUB BADGES WHILE EXPLORING GECKOS BY BEING A REPTILE OBSERVER.
