Stowaway gecko found inside box of musical instruments
The tiny gecko scuttled out of a shipment of musical instruments.
A gecko who travelled thousands of miles across the world inside a box of musical instruments is seeking its forever home after being rescued by the RSPCA.
The surprising stowaway survived a 4,800-mile journey inside a sealed ocean container that had travelled from China to Kent. It was not until three months later when staff at the musical instrument company finally opened the shipment that the little creature was found.
“It’s amazing that this little gecko survived such a long journey and such a long time shut inside the sealed packaging but they were able to confine him and then called us for help,” commented RSPCA animal rescuer Clive Hopwood.
Mr Hopwood took the gecko - who has been affectionately named ‘Thin Lizard’ – to experts at Brighton Reptile Rescue where it was identified as an Asian House Gecko. It will now remain at the centre until a specialist home can be found.
The RSPCA said the gecko was lucky to survive so long - particularly over the winter months - without specialist equipment to regulate temperature. It added that it hopes the gecko’s remarkable trip will remind holidaymakers to always check their cases thoroughly before heading home in case they too pick up a surprising stowaway.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
