speckled gecko of lowland forest remnants
- Size
- Length: 6–8 cm
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
- Diet
- Insectivorous - feeds on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. A nocturnal gecko that hides under rocks and bark during the day, emerging at night to hunt. Uses its specialised toe pads to climb smooth surfaces, including rocks and tree trunks.
- Habitat
- Native forests, scrublands, and rocky outcrops. Prefers habitats with plenty of rocks and crevices for shelter, and trees or shrubs for climbing. Often found under bark, in rock piles, and in coastal vegetation. Tolerant of disturbed habitats.
- Range
- New Zealand - found throughout the North Island, particularly in the southern North Island and the Wellington region. Most common in lowland forests, scrublands, and rocky outcrops.
- Endemism
- Endemic
- Main Threats
- None significant - this species is common and widespread in the North Island. Localised threats include predation by introduced rats and cats, habitat loss from land development, and climate change. Classified as Not Threatened, with healthy populations throughout its range.
- Population
- A common gecko found throughout the North Island. The Raukawa Gecko has grey to brown colouration with darker bands and spots, and a pale belly. It is a nocturnal gecko, hiding under rocks and bark during the day and emerging at night to hunt insects. Often found in native forests, scrublands, and rocky outcrops.
- Conservation Status
- Not Threatened
The Raukawa Gecko is the lizard of the southern North Island, defined by a quiet abundance that makes it one of the most familiar reptiles in the region. At six to eight centimetres in length, it is a small gecko, with grey to brown colouration and darker bands and spots that provide camouflage among the rocks and bark. The belly is pale cream, and the eyes are large and dark, adapted for night vision.
This is a gecko of the forest and the rock. The Raukawa Gecko is found throughout the North Island, in native forests, scrublands, and rocky outcrops. It is a nocturnal species, hiding under rocks and bark during the day, emerging at night to hunt insects.
Biologically, the Raukawa Gecko is a viviparous species, giving birth to live young. Females produce one or two offspring each year, a slow reproductive rate that is typical of New Zealand geckos. The young are born in late summer and are miniature versions of the adults, independent from birth.
The Raukawa Gecko is not threatened. It is widespread and common in the North Island, with healthy populations throughout its range. But it is still vulnerable to predation by introduced rats and cats, and to habitat loss from land development.
To see a Raukawa Gecko is to see a lizard that has made itself at home across the North Island. It is a survivor, a creature of the night and the rock, and its banded pattern is a reminder of the beauty of the ordinary.