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New Caledonian Giant Gecko - Pine Island
Rhacodactylus leachianus
The largest living gecko species, the Mt. Koghis locale features a massive head and wrinkled skin. It is highly territorial and requires a large, sturdy vertical terrarium.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Diplodactylidae
Genus:Rhacodactylus
Species:Rhacodactylus leachianus*
* Pine Island
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
60 - 80 %
Day temperature
22 - 26 °C
Night temperature
18 - 21 °C
Adult size
28 cm
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the dense, humid rainforest canopies of New Caledonia, specifically the Mt. Koghis region on the main island (Grande Terre). They reside high in the tree hollows of primary forests, rarely descending to the ground.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Diplodactylidae. *Rhacodactylus leachianus* (Mt. Koghis) is a mainland (Grande Terre) locale of the giant gecko. Captive breeding lines are carefully cataloged to preserve geographic purity, preventing hybridization between island and mainland locales.
Behavior and Habits: Nocturnal and arboreal, spending the day hidden in hollow tree trunks. They are highly territorial and vocal, producing growling, whistling, or barking sounds when disturbed. They are skilled climbers, using their wide adhesive toe pads and clawed feet.
Morphology: The largest living gecko species, with Mt. Koghis specimens reaching lengths of 30–35 cm and weighing over 300 grams. Characterized by a massive head, loose, heavily wrinkled skin on the flanks, and a short, stubby tail. Males are generally larger with a distinct hemipenal bulge at the base of the tail.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a large, robust, and vertically oriented terrarium (minimum 60x45x90 cm for an adult). Furnish with large, thick hollow cork tubes or bamboo logs placed diagonally, as thin branches cannot support their weight. Use broad-leafed plants and a moisture-retaining substrate like forest soil and moss.
Lighting and Heating: Maintain a moderate temperature range between 22°C and 26°C. Temperatures must never exceed 28°C, as overheating can cause lethal heat stress. Provide low-output (5%) UVB lighting to ensure proper calcium absorption and prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD).
Humidity and Hydration: Keep relative humidity high (60–80%) through heavy evening misting. Good ventilation via a mesh top is crucial to prevent stagnant air, which leads to bacterial or fungal skin infections. The gecko will drink droplets from glass walls and leaves.
Feeding and Supplementation: Primarily frugivorous in captivity. The main diet (70%) must consist of high-quality commercial gecko powdered diets (Pangea or Repashy) mixed with water, offered in elevated feeding ledges. Supplement weekly with gut-loaded, calcium-dusted insects (such as large roaches or locusts).
Compatibility: Must be kept individually. Adult geckos are highly territorial, and housing multiple individuals (especially males) together will result in severe, potentially fatal aggression. Breeding pairs should only be introduced under experienced supervision.
Health and Common Diseases: Skin infections can occur if the terrarium is kept wet and stagnant without drying cycles. Handle with care; while they are generally docile outside their territory, they can defend their cage aggressively. Never grab them by the tail, as they may drop it (autotomy), and it will not regenerate.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to the dense, humid rainforest canopies of New Caledonia, specifically the Mt. Koghis region on the main island (Grande Terre). They reside high in the tree hollows of primary forests, rarely descending to the ground.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsAustralia, New Guinea, and Oceania
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 28 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 28 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 28 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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