Hypothetical function of elevated locomotory postures in geckos (reptilia: Gekkonidae)

Climbing geckos normally locomote appressed, with the belly close to the substratum. Ground-dwelling geckos usually locomote semi-erect, the trunk elevated on the vertical antebrachium and crus, brachium and femur being roughly horizontal. Certain Israeli psammophile geckos often rest, and apparently sometimes walk, erect-legged, on extended limbs. It is suggested that the semi-erect and erect-legged locomotory postures serve to extend the range of vision of ground-dwelling geckos. Geckos hunt by sight, and the ground-dwelling forms are also known to have larger eyes than the climbers.