bright green gecko found only in Northland
- Size
- Length: 8–10 cm
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
- Diet
- Insectivorous and frugivorous - feeds on insects, spiders, and fruit nectar. A diurnal gecko that basks in the sun on branches and leaves. Active during the day, particularly in the morning and late afternoon. Uses its specialised toe pads to climb smooth surfaces, including leaves and branches.
- Habitat
- Native broadleaf forests, particularly kauri and podocarp forests, and mānuka scrublands. Prefers dense vegetation for climbing and basking. Often found in the canopy.
- Range
- Found only in the Northland region of the North Island, from the Kaipara Harbour north to Cape Reinga. Confined to the northernmost part of the country.
- Endemism
- Endemic
- Main Threats
- Habitat loss from land development and vegetation clearance is the primary threat. Also threatened by predation from introduced rats, cats, and stoats, and by illegal collection for the pet trade due to its striking appearance. Classified as At Risk - Declining, with a small and decreasing population.
- Population
- A stunning bright green gecko found only in the Northland region. The Northland Green Gecko is one of the largest of the green geckos, reaching up to 10 centimetres in length. It has bright green colouration with pale yellow or white markings, and is a diurnal gecko, active during the day. Often seen basking on branches or leaves in kauri forests and mānuka scrub.
- Conservation Status
- At Risk - Declining
The emerald of the far north. A gecko that is as rare as it is beautiful.
The Northland Green Gecko is defined by a size and presence that sets it apart from other green geckos. At eight to ten centimetres in length, it is a medium-sized gecko, slender and agile, with a stunning bright green body and pale yellow or white markings. The belly is pale green to yellow, and the eyes are large and golden, with vertical pupils. A gecko that looks like a jewel.
This is a gecko of the kauri forest. The Northland Green Gecko is found only in the Northland region, in kauri and podocarp forests and manuka scrub. It is a diurnal species, active during the day, and it basks on branches and leaves, its green colouration blending perfectly with the foliage.
Biologically, the Northland Green Gecko is a viviparous species, giving birth to live young. Females produce one or two offspring each year, a slow reproductive rate that makes the species vulnerable to population decline. The young are born in late summer and are miniature versions of the adults, independent from birth.
The Northland Green Gecko is threatened by habitat loss, predation, and illegal collection. Its striking appearance makes it a target for the pet trade, and collectors have been known to remove individuals from the wild, further reducing already small populations.
To see a Northland Green Gecko is to see one of New Zealand's rarest and most beautiful reptiles. The kauri forest is dark. The gecko basks on a branch, bright green and gold-eyed. The collector is watching. The gecko does not know it is rare. It does not know it is valuable.
It just wants to bask in the sun.