Forest gecko

Taxobox
name = Forest gecko


status =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Gekkonidae
genus = "Hoplodactylus"
species = "H. granulatus"
binomial = "Hoplodactylus granulatus"
binomial_authority = Gray, 1845
synonyms =

The forest gecko, "Hoplodactylus granulatus", is a species of gecko in the family Gekkonidae. The specific epithet is a reference to the animal's granular skin texture."New Zealand Frogs and Reptiles", Brian Gill and Tony Whitaker, David Bateman limited, 2001 ]

Distribution

It is endemic to New Zealand, found in all areas except the Far North, Marlborough, and Canterbury.

Description

This species is hard to see against bark or lichen on trees as the gecko can change its shade of grey/brown/green to match its background. The colours range from dark brown to pale grey. They have a yellow or orange mouth lining, and the soles of their feet are yellow.

Length is up to 89 mm, snout to vent.

Ecology

This gecko eats insects found in the crevices of bark, moths, flies, fruit and nectar. They sun-bask, but are nocturnal hunters. They usually give birth to twins. Reproduction is viviparous.

Habitat

They live in forest and scrub, to high altitudes, in leatherwood and shrub areas, as well as beech forest, mixed broadleaf, podocarp forest and manuka scrub.

References

* [http://www.reptiles.org.nz/geckoforest.htm New Zealand Herpetological Society]
* [http://www.ryanphotographic.com/granulatus.htm Photos]
* [http://www.tigr.org/reptiles/species.php?genus=Hoplodactylus&species=granulatus The Reptile Database]