Duvaucel's Gecko

Duvaucel’s gecko is the largest living New Zealand gecko, with a robust body, broad head and thick tail. Its back is olive-brown to olive-green with pale irregular crossbars, while its mouth and tongue are pink. Look for yellow eyes, large oval ear openings, a slightly concave forehead and pale crossbar-shaped blotches from the nape towards the tail. Its large size and robust build set it apart from other New Zealand geckos.

The species survives mainly on predator-free islands off the northern North Island and in Cook Strait, including islands in the Hauraki Gulf. It uses forest trunks, rock crevices and coastal vegetation. Duvaucel’s geckos are nocturnal climbers that shelter by day in crevices and hollows. They take large invertebrates and fruit and may forage both in trees and on the ground.

Duvaucel's gecko is At Risk — Uncommon (NZ Threat Classification). Rats and other introduced mammals eliminated it from much of its former mainland range, leaving island refuges central to its survival. Most populations occur on protected islands where access or night wildlife viewing may be controlled. Visitors should look only on permitted guided night walks and avoid disturbing daytime retreats.