Gecko Zoo Keeper travels with Geckos: Tails to Toepads Exhibit on display through January 6, 2013 at Museum of Discovery and Science.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Museum of Discovery and Science's newest addition displaying the largest and most advanced gecko exhibition in the country, Geckos: Tails to Toepads, comes with a traveling zoo keeper, Sandy Mangold. The traveling exhibition, sponsored locally by the Leo Goodwin Foundation, introduces visitors to the remarkable diversity of these lizards in 20 lush naturalistic habitats with 65 living examples from around the world - each requiring special care.

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The gecko habitats re-create natural environments in astonishing detail. State-of-the-art controls provide lighting, humidity, temperature, and water quality to meet the needs of these delicate creatures.

Fan-Fingered, Peacock day gecko, Neon day gecko, Gold dust day gecko, Lined day gecko, Frog-eyed gecko, Tokay gecko, Bibron gecko, Leopard gecko, Skunk gecko, Giant day gecko, Halmahera gecko, New Caledonian giant gecko, Crested gecko, Chinese cave gecko, Giant Leaf-tailed & Lined leaf-tailed, Gliding gecko.

A Zoo Keeper's daily duties may seem routine but surprises do happen. Recently, while performing daily habit checks of each ecosystem's humidity and temperature levels specific to each Gecko's species biological needs, a new Crested Gecko appeared. A few hours later another one hatched.

"I was not aware of the eggs as sometimes they are well hidden in the plants," Mangold exclaimed. She finds the Crested Gecko fascinating. "They appear to have eyelashes, but they're actually just scales. And this particular species was thought to be extinct for a long time, but thankfully they were rediscovered," said Mangold.

A baby Skunk Gecko hatched as the new traveling exhibit was being installed. Mangold pays special attention to monitor the presence of eggs and incubation activity. The exhibit has Gliding Gecko eggs, Skunk Gecko eggs and Giant Day Gecko eggs ready to hatch and join the exhibit. Which will be the next to hatch? Museum visitors maybe lucky and see these beautiful creatures hatch before their very own eyes.

Each gecko has special dietary needs. Approximately twice a week all of the geckos feast on a meal of crickets. Some of the larger geckos, the Crested and Day species as well as the Halmahera and New Caledonian day gecko, are treated to baby food too. The baby food, made with fruit, supplements the geckos' cricket diet and provides missing nutrients.

Mangold explains many different reasons why certain geckos fascinate her, but the camouflaging skills, interesting appearance, and intriguing eyes of the Giant Leaf Tail Gecko captivate her most. During the day the Giant Leaf Tail Gecko, hailing from Eastern Madagascar, blends into its habitat using its exceptional camouflage, but at night this nocturnal gecko becomes active. The Giant Leaf Tail Gecko sports large sand colored eyes with small red rings during the day, but at night the stripes of red widen. This change makes the eyes appear red, and allows the gecko's eyes to access more light, so it can see more easily. This is just one of the many beautiful aspects of the geckos Mangold is honored to see after hours.

Geckos: Tails to Toepads will be on display at the Museum of Discovery Science through January 6, 2013. Admission is $14 Adults, $13 Seniors (65+), and $12 Children 2-12. For more information call 954.467.6637 or visit http://mods.org/exhibits/geckos.htm

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Media Contacts: Marlene Janetos 954.713.0915 [email protected]

SOURCE Museum of Discovery & Science