New Caledonian Giant Gecko
The New Caledonian Giant Gecko is the largest known living gecko. Their body is almost uniform from snout to vent with a short tail. Base color is yellow, green, brown and even black with blotches of white or pink accent colors. The most vocal of all Rhacodactylus with a number of unique calls. An agitated giant gecko will growl or almost grumble at the unfamiliar or unwanted handling.
Beside their size and vocal abilities, these geckos are known for their secretive habits. Slow movement, continuous hiding or laying out on cork bark under the full spectrum lighting almost flattened onto the surface alludes to their secretive habits. Over the course of a night an entire ounce of Repashy Superfoods has been seen to disappear with the gecko returning to the same spot it was the previous day. Scent marking is also an intriguing trait that these geckos use to prevent intruding males from entering their territory among other uses.
The Giant Gecko is a fascinating species that is a pleasure to work with. With so many interesting traits, locality specific colors and patterns, this species is one of the most exciting projects to be able to work with in my opinion.
The popularity of the New Caledonian Giant Gecko has always been high, almost as high as the price tag, but in recent years the availability has increased and the reduced price associated with island hybrids (such as the Nuu Ana crossed with Nuu Ami) has allowed hobbyists to obtain their first leachie. I figure it's time to sit down and throw a couple of facts on paper for what you can expect with your new or future pet.
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Pictures of locality and morph specific New Caledonian Giant Geckos, Rhacodactylus leachianus.
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Rhacodactylus leachianus, commonly known as New Caledonian Giant Gecko, is the largest known living gecko. The amazing size is only one of the really fascinating characteristics of this gecko. The broad vocal patterns and ability to communicate aggression has coined this gecko "Devil In the Trees" by locals of New Caledonia. The many different physical variations are characterized by locality and the beginning of line breeding is peaking interest of the reptile community. R. leachianus leachianus inhabits Grande Terre while the sub-species R. leachianus henkeli are slightly smaller and inhabit the satellite islands off the coast of New Caledonia. With so many unique characteristics, that can appeal to any level of hobbyist, the leachianus is at the top of the list of geckos from the genus to work with.
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There are a number of basic requirements that aide in the selection of an enclosure for both Rhacodactylus leachianus leachianus and Rhacodactylus leachianus henkeli. The ability to hold humidity, appropriate size, access, heating and lighting. Both Grande Terre (R. leachianus leachianus) and Offshore (R. leachianus henkeli) require the same sized enclosure. A number of enclosures, varying in size, should be provided throughout the course of maturity from hatchling to adult.
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Rhacodactylus leachianus is a frugivorous species. A frugivorous diet consists primarily of fruit. Another part of the leachianus diet is live prey which can consist of crickets, roaches and occasional hairless baby mice also referred to as "pinkie mice." There are diets for frugivorous geckos available such as Repashy Superfoods Crested Gecko Diet.
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