A "cute" critter to some and a nuisance to others, this invasive gecko outcompetes some native Hawaiian species.
WITH ITS BLUE "EYESHADOW," flashy stripes and seemingly coy grin, the gold dust day gecko is a photographer’s dream. Kenneth Sheide caught this one peeking over the edge of a bromeliad leaf while visiting O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, last year—and the shot won an honorable mention in our 2020 photo contest. “I find this image cute,” says Sheide, “but responses to photos are very subjective.” Biologists may find this animal far from charming. Native to Madagascar and some Indian Ocean islands, the species was illegally brought to Hawai‘i in the 1970s and now is spreading, gobbling insects needed by native species.
Our 50th annual photo contest is now open, and we’d love to see your work. The Grand Prize is our new Nature’s Witness™ Award and $5,000. Enter today at nwf.org/photocontest.
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