New Caledonia Giant Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus)

New Caledonia Giant Gecko Rhacodactylus leachianus
Name	New Caledonia Giant Gecko
Name Lat.	Rhacodactylus leachianus
Family	Diplodactylid Geckos
Family lat.	Diplodactylidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	New Caledonia
Habitat	Forests
Diet	Insects, fruits
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	Nocturnal, ♂ territorial
Keeping	Individual, pair
Care Level	Difficult
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Humid terrarium
Life Span	15-20 years
Protection	EU Annex D
Metric Units
Size	40 cm
Temperature	25-28 °C
Temperature Local	30-35 °C
Housing Size	130 x 130 x 180 cm
US Units
Size	16"
Temperature	77-82 °F
Temperature Local	86-95 °F
Housing Size	50" x 50" x 70"

Distribution and habitat

The nocturnal New Caledonian Giant Geckos are found exclusively (endemically) in New Caledonia, in the east and south of Grande Terre as well as Ile des Pins and the surrounding islands. There they live in the humid forests up to 1,000 m altitude, where they hide during the day in the dense vegetation or in tree hollows.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals

6KRL x 6KRL x 8KRL (L x W x H)

Head-torso length (KRL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 15%. A terrarium of e.g. 130 x 130 x 180 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

You need a terrarium with partly vertical climbing branches, roots and many plants, like Ficus, Scindapsus etc. (hiding and shady places), structured back and side walls (e.g. cork covering), a graveable substrate of forest soil-peat mixture and a water basin (waterfall). The substrate should always be kept slightly moist. Several times a day the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better

Temp. day: 25-28 °C

Temp. night: 20-22 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 60-80

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs. Daylight fluorescent tubes are ideal. A special UV light is not necessary.

Diet

The food supply consists of live insects according to their size, such as crickets, house crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, zophobas and mealybug larvae, alternatively special ready-made food for geckos or insectivorous reptiles can be offered, supplemented with fruit pulp and sweet fruits (e.g. bananas, papaya). Wax moths should rarely be fed in very small amounts due to their large fat content. Young animals should be offered food daily, adults 4-5 times a week. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins (dusting of feed) is important. Drinking water must always be available

A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The male has clearly visible hemipenis pockets

The female lays 4-6 clutches annually, with 2 eggs each, in the moist substrate. The incubation period is 65-85 days at a temperature of 26-29 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young.

Species protection

Species protection: EU Appendix D; monitoring of trade relevance (monitoring).

Important

They have broad adhesive lamellae and instep scales between the fingers and toes. They must not be held by the tail, which serves them as an additional grasping organ (adhesive scales) and can be thrown off in case of danger. However, usually no complete regenerate is formed

Adult males behave very territorially and are incompatible with each other

Sunny places with radiant heat must not be lacking. For the resting phase, the lighting duration is shortened by 2-3 hours for about two months and the temperature is lowered by 3-4 °C

With fruit and honey water as food for the feeders, their quality can be upgraded.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: Franz Lowak 

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag   

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF