Weederness:


Not for me. Where I came from, we eat some stuff that look or worse than cockroach

ibechris:
Full Text
A viral message surfaced on WhatsApp urging Nigerians to put a mixture of salt and garlic in the corners of their rooms to eradicate wall gecko, with the story that a wall gecko fell into a pot of soup prepared by a housewife in Nigeria unknown to her and killed the woman and her nine children after eating the soup.

It reads, “Slippery House Lizard known as Wall Gecko also called Omonle in Yoruba fell into a pot of soup prepared by a housewife in Nigeria unknowingly and it killed the woman and her 9 children after eating.

“Another woman who prepared Tea in a kettle which the gecko fell into, all the family that drank the tea died.

“Please ensure your food, cooked or raw is tightly closed as this animal is highly poisonous, it also goes with “aljanus” (jinns) – verifiable.

Therefore do everything possible to get rid of this dangerous animal from your home.”

The claim particularly notes that “the reptile goes with jinns and it’s highly poisonous and it is verifiable.” Dubawa opted to verify the authenticity of this claim.

Verification
A keyword search revealed that the claim has been in circulation since 2017, as a news item in Nigeria, the Sun Newspaper categorically alerted Nigerians to kill wall geckos because investigation has shown that the reptile is harmful.

The newspaper warned vividly: “Ordinarily, the skin of the gecko is highly poisonous…To eradicate it in your home, just mix salt and garlic and put mixture in different corners of your room. You will never see them again.”

A response on 9 May 2018 from Udonsi Eke on Nature Cures Initiative Facebook post questioned the credibility of the claim “But I remember eating a wall gecko that was roasted just to make me stop bedwetting in my childhood days. So is this information true?”
Are wall geckos truly harmful?
Animal diversity website describes a wall gecko as a tree-living terrestrial species, living in human-populated areas. A reptile that originated from Southeast Asia but is currently found almost everywhere across the globe. It says wall geckos occur on buildings, mostly near artificial lighting because they are nocturnal insectivores.

With the simple description of this uninvolved reptile that feeds mainly on insects, Dubawa felt the urge to get the thought of an expert, Mrs. Emudiare Tailobi, a zoologist from the University of Jos.

“Wall geckos aren’t venomous, that’s a fact,” Mrs. Emudiare said over the phone, adding that although they can carry some harmful bacteria in their mouths that are detrimental to human health, the reptile is naturally harmless.

Mrs. Tialobi explained that “Wall geckos are not toxic, but they may have picked up harmful bacterias that in large amounts can cause harm to humans.”

Dubawa went further to get more insight from a biologist, Mrs. Nanchin Winifred Kazeh from Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) Jos-east Laminga via WhatsApp, and she affirmed that wall geckos are not poisonous
Is it true that the salt and garlic mixture can eradicate wall geckos?
A conversation with a biologist/ornithologist, Nanchin Winifred Kazeh of A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), Jos-east on WhatsApp revealed that the smell of garlic and salt mixture wards off wall geckos.

Mrs. Kazeh said that wall geckos feed on insects such as lizards, nectars, and spiders. And since light attracts insects, wall geckos are found on buildings with artificial lighting, as it helps them spot their prey easily.

“The wall geckos play a very important role in balancing the ecosystem. Yes, their appearance scares most people, but all the protective measures put up by humans only aid the reptile to adapt well to the environment. Wall geckos are important and useful to humans,” Kazeh added.

While urging Nigerians to dismiss outrageous claims, and instead learn to read properly, know the source, and ask appropriate questions, the ornithologist outlined two fun facts which include:

Conservationist fun facts
1. Did you know that natural or human disturbances have resulted in more eggs being laid by the wall geckos?

Implication; the more we disturb them with our garlic and salt mixtures and try to kill them, the more they multiply

2. Did you know that female wall geckos can store sperm for up to a year? This is a trait that likely aids the species’ transportability and invasion success.

Conclusion
Verification has shown that wall geckos are not poisonous as contained in a viral WhatsApp message; instead, they play an important role in balancing the ecosystem. Even though the garlic and salt mixture can scare wall geckos, it will only increase its production.

The researcher produced this fact-check per the 2021 Kwame Karikari Fact-checking Fellowship partnership with JAY 101.9 FM Jos to facilitate the ethos of truth in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country.

TheNiceGuy:
They're poisonous. Take heed

Exmilitant:
I like spending time watching geckos attack flies, spider and other crawling insects.
That's man's companion wether you recognize their presence or not, they are right there with you watching and listening.

Tickles001:
There's nothing more false than this report. Even the dart poison frog would struggle to achieve this feat, considering the dilution from the soup.
Wall geckos are not poisonous and they don't press anybody in their sleep, nor do they have any metaphysical capabilities.

If they're that poisonous, then half of the people in rural areas would have died of by now.
I don't know what killed the family, but I know it's not any wall gecko.

ObalendeCMS:
Na flit I dey take kill their mama.

I heard it’s spiritual and evil too and it can scratch your body when you are fast asleep.

I also heard cockroaches do this too.

Shaev7:

My brother e no tire you...

brain54:
One wall gecko with enough lethal poison to kill six people…?

Why am I not believing this story?


I doubt if snakes and scorpions are even that poisonous.

TheNiceGuy:
They're poisonous. Take heed

TVTKOKO:
you mean Chameleon bones? Please can you educate me on how thanks

Lukuluku69:


I read sometimes that while on the throes of death, they do discharge poisonous substance as a means of defence.

So, a Gecko in a pot of soup or one that fell inside a bucket of drinking water could be lethal if such food or water is ingested.

I remember growing up, anywhere my Grandma sees it, she must kill it. When we ask her why, she said they do scratch people with their claws while sleeping and leaving dark long marks on people's body.

godofuck231:

The tongue of the chameleons carries a neorotoxin that allows it to neutralize insects and begins digestion prior to entering the stomach. The tongue uses nematocists similar to that of its ocean dwelling long lost cousin... The sea anemonie. While not a poison, it is a toxin that can cause severe damage to a humans nervous system if contacted.Because humans have a much larger body mass the neurotoxin isn't noticed at first. Over time the toxin is cumulative and can cause severe issues with the dermal and sub dermal layers as well as a major transformative effect in overall body

Chameleons are slightly poisonous to humans. Chameleons come in many varieties, and those that humans keep as pets may be able to cause a mild rash if their bite breaks the skin. However, chameleons are slow and docile, so they rarely bite. Chameleon bites should be washed with soap and water.

Chameleons are known for their ability to change colors and their unique eyes, which can move independently.
Chameleons also have tongues that can extend about one and a half times the length of their entire body. However, most people know very little about chameleon biology or that these fascinating reptiles could potentially be poisonous to humans.

Because chameleons’ bodies are covered in scales, some people believe that they are reptiles with no poisonous qualities whatsoever. The fact is that chameleons do possess poison glands and may have toxins in their mouths. It can transfer this type of poison through bites and stings. The first type of poison is found in chameleon saliva, while the second is present in their skin.

Chameleon has been accurately classified as poisonous because it has developed defense mechanisms that have been proven toxic to humans over time. Chameleon species use this toxin as a defense mechanism against predators. This has made them poisonous even though these animals aren’t typically aggressive towards humans.
chameleons carry salmonella and could give a human food poisoning same as wall geckos

ebuka1511:

......... but they are not poisonous, If I get you right, so with all the works from researchers , you still believe they are poisonous?

ibechris:
Wall gecko isn't poisonous.

ibechris:
Full Text
A viral message surfaced on WhatsApp urging Nigerians to put a mixture of salt and garlic in the corners of their rooms to eradicate wall gecko, with the story that a wall gecko fell into a pot of soup prepared by a housewife in Nigeria unknown to her and killed the woman and her nine children after eating the soup.

It reads, “Slippery House Lizard known as Wall Gecko also called Omonle in Yoruba fell into a pot of soup prepared by a housewife in Nigeria unknowingly and it killed the woman and her 9 children after eating.

“Another woman who prepared Tea in a kettle which the gecko fell into, all the family that drank the tea died.

“Please ensure your food, cooked or raw is tightly closed as this animal is highly poisonous, it also goes with “aljanus” (jinns) – verifiable.

Therefore do everything possible to get rid of this dangerous animal from your home.”

The claim particularly notes that “the reptile goes with jinns and it’s highly poisonous and it is verifiable.” Dubawa opted to verify the authenticity of this claim.

Verification
A keyword search revealed that the claim has been in circulation since 2017, as a news item in Nigeria, the Sun Newspaper categorically alerted Nigerians to kill wall geckos because investigation has shown that the reptile is harmful.

The newspaper warned vividly: “Ordinarily, the skin of the gecko is highly poisonous…To eradicate it in your home, just mix salt and garlic and put mixture in different corners of your room. You will never see them again.”

A response on 9 May 2018 from Udonsi Eke on Nature Cures Initiative Facebook post questioned the credibility of the claim “But I remember eating a wall gecko that was roasted just to make me stop bedwetting in my childhood days. So is this information true?”
Are wall geckos truly harmful?
Animal diversity website describes a wall gecko as a tree-living terrestrial species, living in human-populated areas. A reptile that originated from Southeast Asia but is currently found almost everywhere across the globe. It says wall geckos occur on buildings, mostly near artificial lighting because they are nocturnal insectivores.

With the simple description of this uninvolved reptile that feeds mainly on insects, Dubawa felt the urge to get the thought of an expert, Mrs. Emudiare Tailobi, a zoologist from the University of Jos.

“Wall geckos aren’t venomous, that’s a fact,” Mrs. Emudiare said over the phone, adding that although they can carry some harmful bacteria in their mouths that are detrimental to human health, the reptile is naturally harmless.

Mrs. Tialobi explained that “Wall geckos are not toxic, but they may have picked up harmful bacterias that in large amounts can cause harm to humans.”

Dubawa went further to get more insight from a biologist, Mrs. Nanchin Winifred Kazeh from Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) Jos-east Laminga via WhatsApp, and she affirmed that wall geckos are not poisonous
Is it true that the salt and garlic mixture can eradicate wall geckos?
A conversation with a biologist/ornithologist, Nanchin Winifred Kazeh of A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), Jos-east on WhatsApp revealed that the smell of garlic and salt mixture wards off wall geckos.

Mrs. Kazeh said that wall geckos feed on insects such as lizards, nectars, and spiders. And since light attracts insects, wall geckos are found on buildings with artificial lighting, as it helps them spot their prey easily.

“The wall geckos play a very important role in balancing the ecosystem. Yes, their appearance scares most people, but all the protective measures put up by humans only aid the reptile to adapt well to the environment. Wall geckos are important and useful to humans,” Kazeh added.

While urging Nigerians to dismiss outrageous claims, and instead learn to read properly, know the source, and ask appropriate questions, the ornithologist outlined two fun facts which include:

Conservationist fun facts
1. Did you know that natural or human disturbances have resulted in more eggs being laid by the wall geckos?

Implication; the more we disturb them with our garlic and salt mixtures and try to kill them, the more they multiply

2. Did you know that female wall geckos can store sperm for up to a year? This is a trait that likely aids the species’ transportability and invasion success.

Conclusion
Verification has shown that wall geckos are not poisonous as contained in a viral WhatsApp message; instead, they play an important role in balancing the ecosystem. Even though the garlic and salt mixture can scare wall geckos, it will only increase its production.

The researcher produced this fact-check per the 2021 Kwame Karikari Fact-checking Fellowship partnership with JAY 101.9 FM Jos to facilitate the ethos of truth in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country.

Onyiiobi7735:
Obviously the lizard isn't an ordinary one.It is an arrow of evil sent by the evil ones.

Mmaduise:


https://www.google.com/amp/s/theeagle.com.ng/breaking-wall-gecko-wipes-out-family-of-six-at-once/%3famp=1

Lukuluku69:


I never said they are poisonous. I never did. What I said was that I have read where it was alleged that they do secrete some poisonous substances as a defence mechanism when they are about to die.

And I have also read where it is said that many a family died by eating from Food or drank from water that has a dead Gecko.

My Grandma tales is just a Local myth like all other local myths.

Besides, I raised chickens and I have seen Chickens run after them and do eat then on a number of occasion. So, I don't really believe they are poisonous as people alleged.

ibechris:
Wall gecko isn't poisonous.