Geckos, lizzards, butterflies and cicadas

If I had to choose my favourite smallest creature residing on the island it would definitely have to be the gorgeous hemidactylous turcicus best known as Mediterranean gecko, wall lizzard or 'samiamidi' in Greek. This lazy, nocturnal reptile can often be seen hanging around lamps and small insects, such as ants, mosquitoes, spiders and even moths. For such a laid back fella the gecko actually moves very fast allowing only a small chance for its pray to react. I could spend minutes watching their little belly move rhythmically with each intake of breath and admire their tiny little feet and rather big (in proportion to the rest of the head) eyes. Their still presence helps them to blend in with their immediate environment giving them a strong vantage point towards any unsuspecting passer-by insects and bugs.

Geckos on wall

Gecko on the wall

A close second would be another little reptile scientifically known as algyroides moreoticus the well known lizzard, or 'savra' in Greek. The behaviour of these creatures reminds me that of a squirrel, in that their movement ranges from complete 'freeze' stillness to incredible displays of speed and agility. They like suckling on ripe fruit such as grapes and berries.
In Zakynthos there are also many different types of butterfly most beautiful of all being the Colias Crocea (or clouded yellow) species, the Freyer Grayling (Neohipparchia fatua), the Spotted Fritillary (Melitae didyma) and the Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius).

Zante butterfly

Even though not known for its attractive looks there is one insect that clearly dominates the island and can be heard throughout the day in its distinctive persistent and rhythmic call - the cicada or tzitziki (after the sound it produces) in Greek. The familiar cicada song is actually a mating song produced by the male insect to attract its female partner. Each cicada species have their own sound and there are different songs to communicate distress or courting.  Cicadas like heat which is why the Greeks use the expression "skai o tzitzikas", meaning (liberal translation) 'bursting cicadas' to describe an unbearably hot day. For me the sound of the cicadas is so engrained in my early memories of family summer holidays (alongside the smell of pine trees combined with a fresh sea breeze) that a summer without the sound of cicadas is simply not a summer enough!