Species · GBIF taxon 2446592
Crested Gecko
Correlophus ciliatusAlso known as Eyelash Gecko, Guichenot's Giant Gecko
Crested geckos navigate the forest canopy of New Caledonia using adhesive toe pads and a semi-prehensile tail that, once lost, never regrows. These nocturnal lizards are easily recognized by the hair-like projections over their eyes that resemble eyelashes, which they keep clean by licking. While highly popular in the pet trade, wild populations remain vulnerable in their restricted island habitat.
NocturnalArboreal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Insects
- Overripe fruit
- Nectar
Predators
- Feral cats
- Rats
- Little fire ants
ThreatsHabitat loss, deforestation, and predation by introduced species like the little fire ant.
HabitatsHumid lowland rainforests and montane forests.
Life span15 to 20 years in captivity; likely shorter in the wild.
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyDiplodactylidae
- SpeciesCorrelophus ciliatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of a mild nip if highly stressed; handle gently and support the body.
- What to notice
- Look for the distinctive crests running from the eyes down the sides of the neck and back.
- Support conservation
- Do not collect wild individuals, and minimize disturbance to their fragile forest habitat.
Responsible observation
- Handling: Support the entire body and let the gecko walk from hand to hand using a hand-over-hand motion.
- Tail Safety: Avoid grabbing or pulling the tail, as they drop it easily and cannot regenerate it.
- Observation: Look for them active at night when they emerge to forage in the lower forest understory.
Close Relative wade mcmillan / CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0
Close Relative "New Caledonian Giant Gecko, Singapore Zoo" by _paVan_ is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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