''Rhacodactylus leachianus'', commonly known as the New Caledonian giant gecko, Leach's giant gecko, Leachianus Gecko, or simply Leachie, is a large species of

gecko Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards that have a wide distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. Belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, geckos are found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from . Geckos ar ...

in the family Diplodactylidae. The species, which was first described by

Georges Cuvier Jean Léopold Nicolas Frédéric, Baron Cuvier (; 23 August 1769 – 13 May 1832), known as Georges Cuvier, was a French natural history, naturalist and zoology, zoologist, sometimes referred to as the "founding father of paleontology". Cuvier ...

in 1829, is endemic to

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

Taxonomy

The

specific name Specific name may refer to: * in Database management systems, a system-assigned name that is unique within a particular database In taxonomy, either of these two meanings, each with its own set of rules: * Specific name (botany), the two-part (bino ...

, ''leachianus'', is in honor of English zoologist William Elford Leach. Historically, there have been three recognized

subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

of ''R. leachianus'' (including the nominotypical subspecies): ''R. l. aubrianus'', ''R. l. henkeli'' (first described by Seipp and Obst in 1994), and ''R. l. leachianus''. However, based on recent molecular data, no populations of ''R. leachianus'' are granted subspecies status at the present time.

Description

Diplodactylidae - Rhacodactylus leachianus

''R. leachianus'' is the largest

extant Extant is the opposite of the word extinct. It may refer to: * Extant hereditary titles * Extant literature, surviving literature, such as ''Beowulf'', the oldest extant manuscript written in English * Extant taxon, a taxon which is not extinct, ...

gecko in the world and is considered an example of island gigantism. ''R. l. leachianus'', or the Grande Terre locality, is capable of growing 14-17″ (36-43cm) long, while ''R. l. henkeli'', or the Isle of Pines locality, is capable of growing 9-12" (23-30cm) long. It has a heavy body, loose skin, and a small, stumpy tail. It is variable in color, coming in shades of mottled green, gray, and brown, sometimes with highlights of white, orange, and/or pink.''Rhacodactylus leachianus''.
Australian Reptile Park.

Distribution and habitat

''R. leachianus'' is found in all of the southern and eastern portions of the main island of New Caledonia, as well as on several of the smaller islands in the group.

Biology

''R. leachianus'' is an arboreal species, living in trees. It is nocturnally active, but may bask in the morning sun. It eats a diet of insects, spiders, small vertebrates, fruit, nectar, and sap. Adult females of ''R. leachianus'' lay two eggs at a time, having up to 10 clutches per year. ''R. leachianus'' can make a loud growling noise, and local people call it "the devil in the trees". Like many chameleons, New Caledonian Geckos can change the color of their skin. This is due to pigment containing cells called chromatophores. Depending on the amount of sunlight, their skin may be lighter or darker. This is a form of camouflage and can help the gecko blend into their environments. These giant geckos also can climb vertically up glass surfaces. This is due to adhesive pads on their feet called lamellas, which are made up of tiny hairs which increase friction force when applied to surfaces.

Folklore

Some of the indigenous Kanak people of New Caledonia fear Leach's giant gecko. This is because of an old superstition which purports that it has the ability to cling to a person's body and pull out that person's soul.

Conservation status

Populations of the species ''R. leachianus'' have likely been reduced by habitat destruction and degradation. This process is still a threat to the species. It also faces predation by introduced species such as cats and various rodents. It is also poached. It can be electrocuted when it travels along power lines. This species is protected and it lives in several nature reserves.

In captivity

The New Caledonian giant gecko is occasionally kept as a pet. Individuals in the pet trade are propagated with

captive breeding Captive breeding, also known as captive propagation, is the process of plants or animals in controlled environments, such as wildlife reserves, zoos, botanic gardens, and other conservation facilities. It is sometimes employed to help species that ...

; wild populations are protected. This species may live over 20 years in captivity.Guide to the Largest Geckos in the World.
Stephen Cemelli.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rhacodactylus Leachianus Rhacodactylus Geckos of New Caledonia Reptiles described in 1829 Taxa named by Georges Cuvier