The Adventures of Tuk-ko
Posted by novovizcayano on July 19, 2011
Tokay Gecko lizard is known as a Tiki, Tuko, Toko or Tuk-ko in the Philippines for its characteristic vocalizations where some people believed about that its feet can tear your skin off to great love and admiration for its entertaining vocalizations. In the Philippines, most people respect it and value it because it eats dangerous pests such as mosquitos, scorpions and centipedes. Its native habitat is rainforest trees and cliffs, and it also frequently adapts to rural human habitations, roaming walls and ceilings at night in search of insect prey.
There is a hot trading of gecko today nationwide because is there are hearsays that it can help cure AIDS/HIV. These animals are not endangered according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) but you can collect them as long as you have a permit from
DENR. Usually found in warm climates throughout the world and what amazed me this animal is its foot as it walks on vertical glass. According from http://therealowner.com, the current prices in Peso of gecko according to its weights are: 300grams-P50,000; 350grams-P300,000; 400grams-P1.5 M; 450grams-P2 M; 500grams-P2.5 M and 1kilo-P10M.
Even there is a medical benefit to this animal, I will not go for gecko hunting. I think they are now endangered now because of this unverified and not yet proven research for HIV cure. And even its proven, geckos should be saved because I consider these species as nature’s wonder.
