Scientists were surprised at the fluorescence, previously reported among geckos in Namibia. Photo: Johannes Els
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HCS3UZ3ZTRC3TKNSL46AXIFKNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe45df1cba001c9732bb1b0e2b98852b303907bec2325181f71d6c543bb03e17&width=400&height=225)
Scientists have shed light on UAE desert geckos that glow in the dark. Photo: Dr Bernat Burriel-Carranza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PHP4HVYJS5CQ3MMZUYO7L6BR4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=1fce3a5cb9d08f2e885899c06d25026250bf8769f45e47b28adb9ca8e4b8eb4c&width=400&height=225)
A dune sand gecko under UV light. Photo: Dr Bernat Burriel-Carranza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NVKE3JXWONHWRKUON2BVRNZKZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=20ed9eda75dd13090722a89d165d51e814fdb46d64a2fa898a355e5baf26b248&width=400&height=225)
The fluorescence is thought to enable the reptiles see members of the same species. Photo: Dr Bernat-Burriel-Carranza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YTPKHUVHBZHI5OB3QBODV2L5LA.jpg?smart=true&auth=dfb3d0427c477e39f05da64b2524956a2940bf3911be9cde5ab24a9a17fd24f2&width=400&height=225)
This may help the nocturnal creatures locate a partner. Photo: Dr Bernat Burriel-Carranza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CGCYGZW5RFGKTKTYJFEOQ37ORE.jpg?smart=true&auth=99f19345f7d13335c30ab75a024011b024dac9fa4317560296652731bfde7d8d&width=400&height=225)
A female dune sand gecko under visible light at Sharjah Desert Park. Photo: Ahmed Al Busaidi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PPBHSOYPVZDR5MIBFFM45MPLJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cefdbcd5f7cd8f1c218ae803b6099316d3bfa5b683ecb8a3eec3a0d4588dbfc3&width=400&height=225)
The female under UV light and dim visible light, neon-green markings clearly visible. Photo: Ahmed Al Busaidi
Scientists were surprised at the fluorescence, previously reported among geckos in Namibia. Photo: Johannes Els
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HCS3UZ3ZTRC3TKNSL46AXIFKNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe45df1cba001c9732bb1b0e2b98852b303907bec2325181f71d6c543bb03e17&width=400&height=225)
Scientists have shed light on UAE desert geckos that glow in the dark. Photo: Dr Bernat Burriel-Carranza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PHP4HVYJS5CQ3MMZUYO7L6BR4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=1fce3a5cb9d08f2e885899c06d25026250bf8769f45e47b28adb9ca8e4b8eb4c&width=400&height=225)
A dune sand gecko under UV light. Photo: Dr Bernat Burriel-Carranza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NVKE3JXWONHWRKUON2BVRNZKZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=20ed9eda75dd13090722a89d165d51e814fdb46d64a2fa898a355e5baf26b248&width=400&height=225)
The fluorescence is thought to enable the reptiles see members of the same species. Photo: Dr Bernat-Burriel-Carranza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YTPKHUVHBZHI5OB3QBODV2L5LA.jpg?smart=true&auth=dfb3d0427c477e39f05da64b2524956a2940bf3911be9cde5ab24a9a17fd24f2&width=400&height=225)
This may help the nocturnal creatures locate a partner. Photo: Dr Bernat Burriel-Carranza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CGCYGZW5RFGKTKTYJFEOQ37ORE.jpg?smart=true&auth=99f19345f7d13335c30ab75a024011b024dac9fa4317560296652731bfde7d8d&width=400&height=225)
A female dune sand gecko under visible light at Sharjah Desert Park. Photo: Ahmed Al Busaidi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PPBHSOYPVZDR5MIBFFM45MPLJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cefdbcd5f7cd8f1c218ae803b6099316d3bfa5b683ecb8a3eec3a0d4588dbfc3&width=400&height=225)
The female under UV light and dim visible light, neon-green markings clearly visible. Photo: Ahmed Al Busaidi
Scientists were surprised at the fluorescence, previously reported among geckos in Namibia. Photo: Johannes Els
Scientists dazzled by UAE's glow in the dark geckos
The neon green fluorescence may enable members of the same species to spot one another
![Daniel Bardsley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4dcffed7-67d1-4c6f-b468-84a82d1ddd22.png?smart=true&auth=e4d7a6e3c76d7ec922e25339bc18538c62bc925936c2316006dc89b8a7becdc6&width=70&height=70)
Daniel Bardsley
28 April, 2024
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