New Caledonian Giant Gecko
ExploreReptiles
New Caledonian Giant Gecko
Rhacodactylus leachianus
The New Caledonian Giant Gecko is a big, friendly lizard that loves to climb trees! With its bright colors and big eyes, it's a fun creature to discover in the wild.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The New Caledonian Giant Gecko is the world's largest gecko, with a robust body and loose, often bumpy skin. It displays mottled patterns of browns, greens, grays, and creams, helping it blend into tree bark. Its large eyes feature vertical pupils.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyDiplodactylidaeGenusRhacodactylus
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Female leachies can lay eggs every month for up to a year!
If threatened, a giant gecko can drop its tail and grow a new one!
These geckos sometimes eat their own shed skin for nutrients! Gross but smart!
They are endemic, meaning they are only found on the islands of New Caledonia.
Special abilities
Ability
Territorial Roar
New Caledonian Giant Geckos can make loud growls and barks that help them defend their territory.
Ability
Gripping Tail
New Caledonian Giant Geckos have a robust, semi-prehensile tail that helps them balance and grip branches.
Ability
Bark Mimicry
New Caledonian Giant Geckos have loose, textured skin that helps them blend perfectly with tree bark.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 25-36 cm
- Weight
- 0.2-0.4 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years
- Clutch Size
- 1-2
- Incubation
- 60-90 days
Diet & Feeding
Giant geckos are omnivores, munching on fruits, insects, small animals, and even nectar!
Age differences: Young geckos primarily eat insects, while adults add more fruit and small vertebrates to their diet.
Primary Foods
- insects
- ripe fruits
- nectar
- small lizards
- spiders
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
Crested Gecko
Rhacodactylus ciliatus
Hunts smaller, arboreal geckos found in the same habitat.
eats
New Caledonian Fig
Ficus neo-ebudarum
Consumes ripe fruits from this native New Caledonian fig.
eaten by
Domestic Cat
Felis catus
Vulnerable to predation by introduced feral cats.
eaten by
Black Rat
Rattus rattus
Eggs and young are often preyed upon by invasive rats.
Traits
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Giant
Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Giant GeckoLeachianus Gecko
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch geckos from a distance and don't try to touch them, as they can be shy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is New Caledonian Giant Gecko?
25-36 cm
How much does New Caledonian Giant Gecko weigh?
0.2-0.4 kg
How long does New Caledonian Giant Gecko live?
15-20 years
What does New Caledonian Giant Gecko eat?
Giant geckos are omnivores, munching on fruits, insects, small animals, and even nectar!
Where is New Caledonian Giant Gecko usually found?
Forests
How does New Caledonian Giant Gecko hunt?
Ambush
How many eggs does New Caledonian Giant Gecko lay?
1-2
How long do New Caledonian Giant Gecko eggs take to hatch?
60-90 days
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