Description:
Scientific name: Rhacodactylus leachianus Life span: Over 20 years
A big species of gecko belonging to the Diplodactylidae family is called Rhacodactylus leachianus, often known as the New Caledonian giant gecko, Leach’s giant gecko, or just Leachie. The largest living gecko in the world and a representative of island gigantism is the New Caledonian giant gecko. Its body is bulky, its skin is loose, and its tail is short and stumpy. It has a range of colors, including brown, gray, and green that are spotted.
Native Region/Habitat
In some of the smaller islands in the group as well as in the southern and eastern regions of the main island of New Caledonia, wet and montane forests are home to New Caledonian gigantic geckos.
Behavior:
These lonely, enormous geckos reside in the upper branches of trees. Although they are nocturnal, they occasionally emerge throughout the day to enjoy the sun. The locals refer to them as “the demons in the trees” since they have a harsh growling voice. Giant geckos from New Caledonia have the ability to change their skin tone, like many chameleons do. This is because of chromatophores, or cells that contain pigment. Their skin may be lighter or darker depending on how much sunlight they receive. This imitation technique can aid the gecko in blending in with its surroundings. These enormous geckos can also ascend glass surfaces vertically. This is a result of lamellas, which are adhesive pads on their feet made of microscopic hairs that increase friction force when applied to surfaces.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Enclosure: The gecko feels more alone in habitats made of ABS plastic or opaque materials. The size of your tank will depend on the gecko’s life stage:
- Hatchlings should be kept in a 5 to 10 gallon tank for the first several months of their life.
- A 10–20 gallon tank can be used to house juvenile fish.
- Adults of that age should feel at ease in a 30 gallon tank by the time they are 12 months old.
Temperature and Humidity: The tank’s temperature should always be between 65°F and 85°F depending on the time of day; ideally, it should be in the upper 70s during the day and the low 70s at night. If heating equipment are required to achieve this range, low-wattage red lamps (or an under-the-tank heater) are ideal. On the side of the tank, heat pads also operate.
A Leachie Geckos habitat typically maintains a humidity level of between 60% and 75%. To prevent build-up, it is best to routinely allow the humidity to drop to less than 60% because this species is vulnerable to bacterial infection.
Feeding: Leachianus Geckos are omnivorous by nature and spend their time on the islands of New Caledonia eating fruit, different nectars, roaches, small animals, or lizards.
They may only eat approximately four times a week and are not picky eaters, but due to their normal eating patterns in the wild, they do need a balanced diet.
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