Forest gecko

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Forest gecko
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Gekkonidae Genus: Hoplodactylus Species: H. granulatus
Binomial name
Hoplodactylus granulatus Gray, 1845

The forest gecko, Hoplodactylus granulatus, is a species of gecko in the family Gekkonidae. The specific epithet is a reference to the animal's granular skin texture.^[1]

Contents 1 Distribution 2 Description 3 Ecology 4 Habitat 5 References

[edit] Distribution

It is endemic to New Zealand, found in all areas except the Far North, Marlborough, and Canterbury.

[edit] Description

This species is hard to see against bark or lichen on trees as the gecko can change its shade of grey/brown/green to match its background. The colours range from dark brown to pale grey. They have a yellow or orange mouth lining, and the soles of their feet are yellow.

Length is up to 89 mm, snout to vent.

[edit] Ecology

This gecko eats insects found in the crevices of bark, moths, flies, fruit and nectar. They sun-bask, but are nocturnal hunters. They usually give birth to twins. Reproduction is viviparous.

[edit] Habitat

They live in forest and scrub, to high altitudes, in leatherwood and shrub areas, as well as beech forest, mixed broadleaf, podocarp forest and manuka scrub.

[edit] References

• New Zealand Herpetological Society
• Photos
• The Reptile Database