Species · GBIF taxon 2446584
New Caledonian Giant Gecko
Rhacodactylus leachianusAlso known as Leach's Giant Gecko, Leachie, Giant New Caledonian Gecko
New Caledonian giant geckos spend their days tucked inside deep tree hollows, emerging at night to climb high into the forest canopy. They communicate using a surprisingly loud repertoire of growls, barks, and whistles that echo through the dark. Their loose, velvety skin and mossy patterns provide perfect camouflage against lichen-covered bark.
NocturnalArborealVocal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Insects
- Soft Fruits
- Small Lizards
Predators
- Feral Cats
- Rats
- Birds of Prey
ThreatsDeforestation, introduced predators like rats and feral cats, and illegal poaching
HabitatsHumid subtropical rainforests and primary forested valleys
Life spanUp to 20 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyDiplodactylidae
- SpeciesRhacodactylus leachianus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a powerful, painful bite if cornered; handle with respect and care.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses powerful jaws capable of delivering a crushing bite that can easily break human skin.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognizable by its massive size, heavy folds of loose skin, and extremely short, stubby tail.
- What to do
- Keep a respectful distance and do not attempt to grab or corner wild individuals.
- What to notice
- Look for large, heavy-bodied geckos with intricate green, grey, and brown bark-like patterns.
- Support conservation
- Never collect wild specimens and report any suspected poaching activities to local authorities.
Responsible observation
- Listen closely: Listen for deep growling or barking sounds in the forest canopy at night.
- Spot the camouflage: Scan large tree trunks and hollows for their moss-like skin patterns.
- Respect their space: Avoid cornering these giants, as they will aggressively defend their territory.
Close Relative (c) Lennart Hudel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lennart Hudel · cc-by
Close Relative wade mcmillan / CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0
Close Relative
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