| Northland green gecko | |
|---|---|
| Northland green gecko at Orana Wildlife Park, Christchurch | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Naultinus |
| Species: | N. grayii |
| Binomial name | |
| Naultinus grayii Bell, 1843 |
|
The Northland green gecko, Naultinus grayii, is a gecko found only in the Northland region of New Zealand, north of Whangaroa. Its total length is up to 200 mm, snout to vent up to 95 mm.
The Northland green gecko is vivid green with grey or gold coloured markings on either side along the dorsal edges. Males have a blue band along the sides just below the limbs. Underneath, the surface of both sexes is bright pale green, sometimes with a yellow tinge. The inside of the mouth is deep blue with a bright red tongue.
The Northland green gecko is diurnal, often found sun-basking. It has an arboreal lifestyle, especially favouring stands of manuka, kanuka, and mingimingi.
In 2001 a German tourist was fined $12,000 for attempting to smuggle Northland green geckos out of the country in his underwear.[1]