bright green gecko found only in Northland
- Size
- Length: 8–10 cm
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
- Diet
- Insectivorous and frugivorous. Feeds on insects, spiders, fruit, and nectar. Diurnal gecko basking in sun on branches. Active in morning and afternoon.
- Habitat
- Native broadleaf forests, particularly kauri and podocarp forests, and mānuka scrublands. Prefers dense vegetation for climbing. Often found in canopy.
- Range
- Found only in Northland region of North Island. From Kaipara Harbour north to Cape Reinga. Confined to northernmost part of country.
- Endemism
- Endemic
- Main Threats
- Habitat loss from land development and vegetation clearance. Predation from introduced rats, cats, and stoats. Illegal collection for pet trade.
- Population
- At Risk - Declining. Stunning bright green gecko found only in Northland. One of largest green geckos. Diurnal, active during day in kauri forests.
- Conservation Status
- At Risk - Declining
- Human Risk
- harmless
- Handling Note
- protected native gecko, do not handle or disturb to prevent stress
- Conservation Note
- Endemic gecko; restricted to northern North Island forests and declining due to habitat loss.
- Assessment
- NZTCS Reptiles and Amphibians (2021)
- Te Ao Māori
- In Māori tradition, Northland Green Gecko was moko kākāriki o Te Tai Tokerau (green lizard of north). A creature of kauri and sun. Bright green colour associated with life of forest. With energy of north. It was a taonga (treasure). A creature to be admired from a distance, never harmed.
It looks like a jewel. Naultinus grayii is defined by a size and presence that sets it apart. At eight to ten centimetres in length, it is a medium-sized gecko. Slender and agile. Stunning bright green body features pale yellow or white markings. Belly is pale green to yellow. Eyes are large and golden, with vertical pupils. One of largest green geckos.
This is a gecko of the kauri forest. Found only in the Northland region, in kauri and podocarp forests and manuka scrub. A diurnal species, active during the day. It basks on branches and leaves, its green colouration blending perfectly with foliage. Often found in canopy. Confined to northernmost part of country, from Kaipara Harbour north to Cape Reinga.
Biologically, the Northland Green Gecko is viviparous, giving birth to live young. Females produce one or two offspring each year. A slow reproductive rate that makes species vulnerable to population decline. Young are born in late summer and are miniature versions of adults. Independent from birth.
Threatened by habitat loss, predation, and illegal collection. Striking appearance makes it a target for pet trade. Collectors remove individuals from wild, further reducing already small populations. Land development and vegetation clearance are primary threats. Introduced rats, cats, and stoats prey on adults and young. Classified as At Risk - Declining.
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.