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Humid tropical rainforest — lives high in the canopy of tall trees. habitat
Leachianus Gecko
Reptile Fact Sheet

Leachianus Gecko

LC

Rhacodactylus leachianus

Humid tropical rainforest — lives high in the canopy of tall trees.

Fact Sheet

About this animal

Key facts about the leachianus gecko.

Common Name
Leachianus Gecko
Scientific Name
Rhacodactylus leachianus
Classification
Reptilia • Squamata • Diplodactylidae
Distribution
New Caledonia and nearby islands in the South Pacific.
Habitat
Humid tropical rainforest — lives high in the canopy of tall trees.
Range map · red pin marks a typical locationView larger map
Diet
Omnivore: insects, small vertebrates, fruit, nectar and tree sap.
Size
Up to 36 cm (14 in) — one of the largest geckos in the world.
Lifespan
15–20 years in the wild, often longer in human care.
Conservation Status
LC
Least Concern, but protected in New Caledonia.
Behaviour
Nocturnal and territorial. Makes loud growling and barking calls at night.
Adaptations
Sticky toe pads grip smooth bark; loose, wrinkly skin helps it hide against tree trunks.
Predators
Owls, snakes and introduced rats and cats.
Interesting Facts
  • Sometimes nicknamed the 'devil in the trees' because of its noisy calls.
  • Can drop its tail to escape a predator, though adults often keep the same tail for life.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) · Habitat: New Caledonia forest — Wikimedia Commons