Why do geckos repel water?

[endrien]

I noticed this quite a while ago but finally decided to make a topic here when google gave no results. I have to wonder why a leopard geckos skin repels water I've mainly noticed this when they are starting to turn white and soon shed, so I am not sure if it is always like this. Does anyone know more about this?

 

[reps4life]

I would think for all the same reasons our skin does, except they don't have hair follicles.
It serves to keep fluids in the body and protect them from bacteria and other organisms that don't belong in the body.
The keratinized outer layer on the skin works as a barrier and repels.

 

[STUTFL]

The little scales help too, I'd wager. Not gator-quality, but slicker stuff than we humans manage.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

My sense of logic tells me that a reptile repels water in order to maintain body temperature, since they're cold blooded and require an outside heating source. In nature, they would have to find a warm place to lay on to warm back up if they were to become saturated as a mammal.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

The little scales help too, I'd wager. Not gator-quality, but slicker stuff than we humans manage.

Scales on some lizard species helps them drink by catching water and trickling it to their mouths.

 

[gecko4245]

My sense of logic tells me that a reptile repels water in order to maintain body temperature, since they're cold blooded and require an outside heating source. In nature, they would have to find a warm place to lay on to warm back up if they were to become saturated as a mammal.

you cheated, you waited to find the answer after all this time I don't even now if that is right,lol

 

[gecko4245]

I noticed this quite a while ago but finally decided to make a topic here when google gave no results. I have to wonder why a leopard geckos skin repels water I've mainly noticed this when they are starting to turn white and soon shed, so I am not sure if it is always like this. Does anyone know more about this?

I found the answer.

The reptile skin, like that of other vertebrate animals, consists of two main parts: an outer epidermis and an underlying dermis. The epidermis produces horny, or keratinized (like fingernails), scales on its upper surface. These scales are not the same as (that is, not homologous to) the scales of fishes, which are bony, are formed in the dermis, and lie beneath the epidermis. The reptile's scales increase the skin's resistance to water, further reducing moisture loss; some scales may be modified for specialized functions, such as protective spines.

So to lock in water

 

[fl_orchidslave]

you cheated, you waited to find the answer after all this time I don't even now if that is right,lol

Cheated? How so? It was merely a logical explanation as stated. No looking for an answer anywhere.

 

[gecko4245]

Cheated? How so? It was merely a logical explanation as stated. No looking for an answer anywhere.

I was joking, I did not know the answer either, i had to look it up.

 

[Dimidiata]

Lol in horned lizards their scales create a cappilary action that draws water to their mouths.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Lol in horned lizards their scales create a cappilary action that draws water to their mouths.

Right you are, Sam!

 

[Dimidiata]

Lol can u guess what i just learned in school yesterday. Capillary action, the process of water being pulled through a tube against gravity. NOW i can give a full blown description but thats best saved for later XD