Do Geckos Squeak? (The Surprising Sounds They Make

If you’ve ever seen a gecko in your house at night, you might have heard tiny little noises and thought, “Wait, did that gecko just squeak?” It’s easy to assume such a small lizard would be quiet, but geckos actually make a lot of sounds.

Yes, many geckos can squeak, chirp, or even bark, depending on the species. They do this mostly to communicate; warning other geckos, marking their area, or scaring off predators. Even if it’s really faint to us, these sounds are very important for geckos.

Why Do Geckos Make Sounds?

Geckos aren’t like birds that sing, but they aren’t silent either. Every squeak or chirp has a reason.

• Warning Calls: A gecko might squeak if it feels threatened, trying to warn a predator or intruder.
• Territorial Claims: Male geckos often chirp or bark to show other males that this is their spot.
• Attracting Mates: Some geckos make soft squeaks to get the attention of females.

Sounds are one of the main ways geckos communicate beyond body language, which is usually pretty subtle.

Tiny movements, like flicking their tails or nodding their heads, often happen with their calls, making their little “language” richer.

How Do Geckos Make These Noises?

Geckos don’t have vocal cords like humans, but they can still make noises. They do it by pushing air through their throat and mouth in a controlled way.

The shape of their mouth, their tongue, and even tiny bones in their throat help make the sound louder.

Some geckos can be surprisingly loud. Tokay geckos, for example, are famous for their barking calls that can carry across a whole yard.

To us, it might sound funny or even a little scary, but for geckos, it’s serious communication.

Which Geckos Are the Noisiest?

Not all geckos squeak the same way. Some hardly make any noise at all. A few of the louder species include:

• Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko): Famous for its repeated “to-kay” call, which can sound almost like a bark.

• Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius): Makes soft squeaks or chirps when startled or annoyed.

• Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus): Often squeaks when being handled or exploring a new area.

Other small geckos may make very soft clicks or squeaks that you’d hardly hear unless you’re really close.

When Are Geckos Most Likely to Squeak?

Geckos are mostly active at night, so that’s when you’re most likely to hear them. Some common situations where they squeak include:

• Threatened by a Predator: A gecko may squeak loudly to scare off a predator.

• Being Handled: When picked up, some geckos will squeak softly, almost like a protest.

• Mating Season: Males may chirp or squeak to attract females or warn other males.

• Exploring New Areas: Some geckos make small sounds as a way to check out their surroundings.

Even though it’s not constant, geckos’ squeaks usually have a clear meaning and happen in very specific situations.

How Loud Can a Gecko’s Squeak Be?

It depends on the species and size. Small geckos might squeak so softly you barely hear them, but bigger geckos, like Tokay geckos, can squeak as loud as 70 decibels. That’s about the same as a vacuum cleaner humming nearby.

Louder squeaks usually happen for warning or territory reasons, while mating or exploring sounds are quieter.

Some geckos even change the pitch of their squeaks to send different messages to other geckos.

How Do Geckos Use Sounds to Communicate?

Squeaks and chirps aren’t just random noises, they’re a form of gecko language. Each sound can mean something different:

• Warning Calls: A loud, sudden squeak can tell others, “Stay away!”

• Mating Signals: Soft chirps can show a male is ready to court a female.

• Territorial Messages: Repeated calls may tell other males to stay out.

• Distress Calls: Some squeaks happen when a gecko is trapped or startled.

Geckos often use body language along with sounds. They may raise their bodies, flick their tails, or puff up slightly while squeaking.

The mix of sight and sound makes the message clear to other geckos.

Can Humans Understand Gecko Sounds?

Humans can hear some gecko sounds, but we don’t naturally understand them. A squeak could mean lots of different things depending on the situation.

If a gecko squeaks while you’re handling it, it’s probably not angry, more likely startled or uncomfortable.

Loud calls from a Tokay gecko outside might mean a male is claiming territory or responding to a rival.

Even if we can’t interpret every squeak, paying attention to when and why it happens can give clues about what the gecko is trying to say.

Why Do Some Geckos Squeak More Than Others?

A few things affect how much a gecko squeaks:

• Species Traits: Some geckos are naturally more talkative.

• Environment: Geckos in crowded areas may squeak more to show dominance.

• Age and Size: Adults usually squeak louder than babies because their lungs and throats are bigger.

• Stress Levels: Geckos may squeak more when stressed, like during handling, in new surroundings, or when threatened.

It’s not just personality, it’s a mix of biology, environment, and situations.

How Geckos Protect Themselves With Sounds

Squeaking can be a very effective defense. A sudden loud squeak can startle a predator just long enough for the gecko to get away.

Some geckos mix sound with visual tricks like:

• Puffing up their bodies

• Waving or flicking their tails

• Jumping to a safer spot

Even a small, soft squeak can give a gecko a split-second advantage and help it survive.

How Geckos Learn to Use Their Sounds

Not all squeaks are automatic. Geckos can learn from experience. For example, a gecko that scares off another gecko with a squeak may use it more in the future.

They might also adjust the volume or pitch depending on what works best around them.

This shows geckos aren’t just reacting, they’re figuring out how to use their calls to communicate and survive.

Do Baby Geckos Squeak?

Yes, baby geckos can squeak, though usually more softly than adults. They may squeak when startled, during feeding, or when meeting other geckos for the first time.

These squeaks help babies communicate early, stay safe, and warn others about danger, even before they grow into adult behaviors.

Conclusion

So, do geckos squeak? Absolutely. They use squeaks, chirps, and sometimes bark-like calls to warn predators, claim territory, attract mates, and talk to each other.

Even if humans hardly notice, sound is very important for geckos. From the faint squeak of a tiny baby to the loud bark of a Tokay gecko, these noises help them move through the night, protect themselves, and find mates.

Next time you hear a soft squeak from your gecko at night, pay attention, it’s not just noise. It’s communication, warning, and survival all rolled into one tiny lizard voice.