Auckland green gecko
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| Auckland green gecko | ||||||||||||||||
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| Naultinus elegans elegans |
The Auckland green gecko, Naultinus elegans elegans, is a subspecies of gecko found only in the northern half of the North Island of New Zealand, except north of Whangaroa. The other subspecies, the Wellington green gecko, is found in the southern half of the North Island and the two ranges do not overlap. Its length is up to 95 mm, snout to vent.
The Auckland green gecko is much smaller and more lightly built than the Wellington green gecko, and can be distinguished by the grey-green soles on its feet instead of yellow. Its colouration is bright green with two rows of lighter broken stripes down each side of the body. The tail is very versatile, being used as a "fifth limb" for climbing assistance, balance, and possibly food storage.
It lives arboreally in scrub and forest areas, especially Kanuka and Manuka. Although it hunts nocturnally, for moths and flies, it also likes to sun-bask. It displays aggressive behaviour, baring its open blue mouth and tongue and barking if provoked.
