Invasion of the gecko

22 November 2021

We took a very quick, early Thanksgiving trip north to visit family and connect with a few friends. As unwelcome as the experience of snow was, it reminded us why we moved to Key Largo.

Back home and back into our routine, Saturday was cleaning day. (SO exciting, I know!) I was done with my chores and doing something in another room when I heard a panicked, “Oh my god, oh my god!” coming from the living room. Of course, my first thought was, “Shit, he’s having a heart attack!” only to find my husband looking strangely catlike, grabbing for a tiny gecko scurrying around on the floor. He made the first predator error – grabbing the tiny lizard’s tail. It detached quickly. Surprisingly, he managed to scoop the gecko up and I assisted by opening the door to the terrace.

We watched the motionless gecko on the terrace floor. Amazingly, the detached tail was twitching furiously and did so for another minute or so. After a sigh and, “I think I killed him,” the tiny, tailless lizard scurried away.

We’re still trying to figure out how and when he got in. I wonder which of us will be the the next to lift up the floor lamp that seems to be a good gecko hiding place. Lizard in the house – definitely better than snow.