Demotix.com
Join Us
The Network for Freelance Photojournalists 30,000 contributors. 212 territories. Photos. Videos. News.
AFRICA > Rwanda

Gecko & Wasp: Unlikely allies

March 28th, 2009 by Marcell Claassen
Marcell Claassen
Potchefstroom, South Africa, Africa
+ More stories from Marcell Claassen
All images
Gecko Wasp Unlikely allies
01/03
Caption
Out at night photographing moths and other insects, it's always fascinating watching the gecko stalk and catch the variety of insects that make up it's diet. In Ruhengeri (Musanze) in NW Rwanda I was photographing a wasp's nest and using a flash, it exposed a gecko hiding in the dark corner behind the wasp and it's nest - literally 2-3cm apart from each other. Interestingly enough, the gecko would not hunt or stalk insects near the wasp and it's nest but go away, catch insects and then return to it's place behind the wasp. This appears to be 'free' protection for the gecko from either other gecko's in the area and/or something else that may prey on it or harass it. Certainly the first time I've come across this in all my travels and living in Africa.
Gecko Wasp Unlikely allies
02/03
Caption
Out at night photographing moths and other insects, it's always fascinating watching the gecko stalk and catch the variety of insects that make up it's diet. In Ruhengeri (Musanze) in NW Rwanda I was photographing a wasp's nest and using a flash, it exposed a gecko hiding in the dark corner behind the wasp and it's nest - literally 2-3cm apart from each other. Interestingly enough, the gecko would not hunt or stalk insects near the wasp and it's nest but go away, catch insects and then return to it's place behind the wasp. This appears to be 'free' protection for the gecko from either other gecko's in the area and/or something else that may prey on it or harass it. Certainly the first time I've come across this in all my travels and living in Africa.
Gecko Wasp Unlikely allies
03/03
Caption
Out at night photographing moths and other insects, it's always fascinating watching the gecko stalk and catch the variety of insects that make up it's diet. In Ruhengeri (Musanze) in NW Rwanda I was photographing a wasp's nest and using a flash, it exposed a gecko hiding in the dark corner behind the wasp and it's nest - literally 2-3cm apart from each other. Interestingly enough, the gecko would not hunt or stalk insects near the wasp and it's nest but go away, catch insects and then return to it's place behind the wasp. This appears to be 'free' protection for the gecko from either other gecko's in the area and/or something else that may prey on it or harass it. Certainly the first time I've come across this in all my travels and living in Africa.
  • Gecko Wasp Unlikely allies
  • Gecko Wasp Unlikely allies
  • Gecko Wasp Unlikely allies
Report current story

Images show the gecko is very close proximity to the wasp and its nest. The shot with the gecko looking to the left was the first one when the camera flash exposed the gecko's hide-away. Located in a

Out at night photographing moths and other insects, it's always fascinating watching the gecko stalk and catch the variety of insects that make up it's diet. In Ruhengeri (Musanze) in NW Rwanda I was photographing a wasp's nest and using a flash, it exposed a gecko hiding in the dark corner behind the wasp and it's nest - literally 2-3cm apart from each other.
Interestingly enough, the gecko would not hunt or stalk insects near the wasp and it's nest but go away, catch insects and then return to it's place behind the wasp.
This appears to be 'free' protection for the gecko from either other gecko's in the area and/or something else that may prey on it or harass it. Certainly the first time I've come across this in all my travels and living in Africa.

Submitted by
Marcell Claassen
Potchefstroom, South Africa, Africa
+ More stories from Marcell Claassen
Comments
Join the conversation Login
About
Contributor Support
Clients
Engage
Who We Work With
Corbis - in partnership with