A globe-trotting gecko traveled over 1,000 miles to Britain after sneaking on to a lorry loaded with bathroom tiles being imported from Spain.
Staff members at Johnson Tiles were left stunned when the three-inch stowaway lizard crawled out of the recently arrived stock on January 11.
They called the RSPCA after they managed to confine the Moorish Gecko, or common wall gecko, to a plastic container.
Inspector Jenny Bethel attended the factory in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs., and safely transferred the nocturnal reptile to a specialist keeper.
Geckos require warm, dry, and light conditions and would have struggled to survive the UK winter if it had not been found.
Jenny said: “We believe the gecko must have hitched a lift when the tiles were loaded onto a lorry in Spain – so he certainly enjoyed a night or two on the tiles.
“He has traveled more than 1,000 miles but he appears unscathed by his long and adventurous journey.
”The RSPCA said it receives calls every year from holidaymakers who return home to find exotic creatures in their luggage.
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