New Caledonian Giant Gecko

Looks how to spot one

scales

A large, robust gecko with a thick body, a broad head, and a short tail that has a distinct wide base and a slender tip, separated by a fold of skin. The skin is covered in small, granular scales. The tail can be shed and regenerated if the gecko feels threatened.14

Personality what they are like

Generally calm and can tolerate short periods of gentle handling, but individual temperaments vary. When feeling threatened, they may lunge, bite (which can be painful due to strong jaws), or make a chirping sound. Hatchlings are flighty and should not be handled until they are 2-3 months old. They are best housed alone except for breeding pairs, as they can be aggressive toward cage mates.152

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Nocturnal, so they do not need special UVB lighting. Provide plenty of climbing branches and cork bark tubes to mimic tree hollows. A tall enclosure (at least 18 x 18 x 24 inches for an adult) with good ventilation is essential.12

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal grooming needed. The enclosure should be misted daily to maintain humidity between 50-70%. A shallow water dish should always be available. Clean the enclosure regularly to prevent mould and bacteria.12

Home where they are happiest

An arboreal enclosure at least 18 x 18 x 24 inches tall for a single adult, or larger. Use a screen enclosure or a glass tank with a screen top for good airflow. Provide cork bark tubes, sturdy branches (at least as thick as the gecko's body), and a hide box. Live plants can be used but must be robust enough not to be crushed. Temperature should be 70-85°F, never above 85°F. Humidity 50-70%. Never house two males together.12

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivorous. A commercial crested gecko diet (such as Pangea Fruit Mix Complete or Repashy Crested Gecko Diet) should form the staple. Supplement with insects like crickets, mealworms, and flies, dusted with calcium/D3 powder. Occasionally offer fruit baby food (apple, peach, pear, apricot, no citrus) mixed with a little meat baby food and calcium supplement. Feed small amounts daily or every other day.124

Company who they like around

Best kept singly or as a breeding pair. They can be aggressive toward other geckos, especially males. If aggression occurs, separate immediately. They are not a social species and do not require company. Wild populations are protected and no longer exported from New Caledonia; all pets are captive-bred.123

The story where it all began

New Caledonian giant geckos were once extremely rare in the pet trade, but successful captive breeding programmes have made them more available. In 1992, a team including Philippe DeVosjoli, Alan Repashy, and Frank Fast travelled to New Caledonia, collected founder stock, and brought them into the US hobby. Because they take several years to reach breeding age and produce only 2-5 clutches of two eggs per year, they remain relatively expensive and less common than crested geckos. Wild populations are now protected and no longer exported from New Caledonia, so all animals in the pet trade are captive-bred. Selective breeding has maintained pure locality strains as well as some cross-bred lines.513

Recognised by the official bits

The Reptile Database

Recognises Rhacodactylus leachianus as a valid species with two subspecies.6