# 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. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Giant Gecko, Leachianus Gecko ![New Caledonian Giant Gecko](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rhacodactylus_leachianus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alfeus Liman AKA Firereptiles at en.wikipedia, Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhacodactylus_leachianus.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Diplodactylidae - **Genus:** Rhacodactylus ## 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 - **Territorial Roar:** New Caledonian Giant Geckos can make loud growls and barks that help them defend their territory. - **Gripping Tail:** New Caledonian Giant Geckos have a robust, semi-prehensile tail that helps them balance and grip branches. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Vulnerable to predation by introduced feral cats. - **Eaten by:** [Black Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — Eggs and young are often preyed upon by invasive rats. ## Traits - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## 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 to identify New Caledonian Giant Gecko? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [New Caledonian Giant Gecko: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/new-caledonian-giant-gecko)