Rhacodactylus leachianus

Rhacodactylus leachianus, commonly known as the New Caledonian giant gecko or Leach's giant gecko or colloquially Leachie, is a large species of gecko in the family Diplodactylidae. The species, which was first described by Georges Cuvier in 1829, is endemic to New Caledonia.

Rhacodactylus leachianus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Diplodactylidae
Genus: Rhacodactylus
Species:
R. leachianus
Binomial name
Rhacodactylus leachianus
(Cuvier, 1829)
Synonyms[2]


Taxonomy

The specific name, leachianus, is in honor of English zoologist William Elford Leach.[3] Historically, there have been three recognized subspecies of R. leachianus (including the nominotypical subspecies): R. l. aubrianus, R. l. henkeli (first described by Seipp and Obst in 1994), and R. l. leachianus. However, based on recent molecular data, no populations of R. leachianus are granted subspecies status at the present time.[1][4]

Description
Close-up of the New Caledonian giant gecko

At 14 inches (360 mm) total length (including tail), R. leachianus is the largest extant gecko in the world[5] and is considered an example of island gigantism. It has a heavy body, loose skin, and a small, stumpy tail. It is variable in color, coming in shades of mottled green, gray, and brown.[6]

Distribution and habitat

R. leachianus is found in all of the southern and eastern portions of the main island of New Caledonia, as well as on several of the smaller islands in the group.

Biology

R. leachianus is an arboreal species, living in trees. It is crepuscular, but may come out to bask in the sun during the day.[6] It eats a diet of insects, spiders, small vertebrates, fruit, nectar, and sap.[6] Adult females of R. leachianus lay two eggs at a time, having up to 10 clutches per year.[6] R. leachianus can make a loud growling noise, and local people call it "the devil in the trees".[6]

Folklore

Some of the indigenous Kanak people of New Caledonia fear Leach's giant gecko. This is because of an old superstition which purports that it has the ability to cling to a person's body and pull out that person's soul. [7]

Conservation status

Populations of the species R. leachianus have likely been reduced by habitat destruction and degradation. This process is still a threat to the species. It also faces predation by introduced species such as cats and various rodents. It is also poached. It can be electrocuted when it travels along power lines. This species is protected and it lives in several nature reserves.[1]

In captivity

The New Caledonian giant gecko is propagated with captive breeding. Wild populations are protected. This species may live over 20 years in captivity.[8] It can be kept in a large aquarium. Breeding pairs can be housed together, but otherwise the animal can be aggressive to tankmates. As an arboreal species, it should be provided with simulated tree holes, in a tank with plenty of vertical space. A commercial gecko diet can be used. Live insects can be given as a supplement.[9]

References
  1. Whitaker, A.H. & Sadlier, R.A. 2011. Rhacodactylus leachianus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T176166A7191028. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T176166A7191028.en. Downloaded on 18 July 2020.
  2. Rhacodactylus leachianus. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  3. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Rhacodactyus leachianus, p. 153).
  4. Bauer AM, Jackman TR, Sadlier RA, Whitaker AH (2012). "Revision of the giant geckos of New Caledonia (Reptilia: Diplodactylidae: Rhacodactylus)". Zootaxa 3404: 1-52.
  5. Ballance, Allison; Morris, Rod (2003). Island Magic; Wildlife of the South Seas. David Bateman Publishing.
  6. Rhacodactylus leachianus. Australian Reptile Park.
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FJNE4V7aPI LEACHIANUS GECKOS IN THE WILD, PART 1! | Rhacodactylus leachianus | (New Caledonia, 2018)
  8. Guide to the Largest Geckos in the World. Stephen Cemelli.
  9. New Caledonian Giant Gecko Care Sheet. Reptile Magazine.
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