The Other Rhacodactylus Species

                    Rhacodactylus Auriculatus

Description

The Rhacodactylus Auriculatus is perhaps the second most popularly kept species after the Crested. The name Auriculatus means eared, and comes from the points on top of the head which resemble ears. The more commonly used name for these geckos is the Gargoyle Gecko, a name which comes from the lumps and bumps on the top of the head, which some people thought made them ugly like the gargoyles on top of churches. This species actually has what are known as mite pockets, these are little flaps (pockets) of skin on the inside of the back legs. In the wild these pockets were found to be filled with mites (hence the name) it is not known why they have them. The gargoyle was in fact the first species of Rhac to be bred in large numbers by German hobbyists, and became available in the US in the 1980's. This species originates from central and southern New Caledonia, covering the Southern third of the Island.

Housing
Gargoyle geckos can be housed in the same size of vivarium as crested geckos (as tall as possible) although if housing more than one you must ensure they have plenty of hiding places and cover (leaves etc) to prevent bullying. In general these are heavy geckos and should have plenty of stout branches in their vivaria.

Diet
It is thought that the Gargoyle gecko prefers live food to anything else, while they do not refuse crickets ect I have found with mine that they love the 2 part Repashy diet, and are one of the first of my geckos to clear their bowl. They do tend to take a while to get used to livefood when young.

Breeding
The breeding of Gargoyle geckos is the same as Cresteds, with the males behaving towards the females in the same way. Although because of the gargoyles teeth being caniniform they can bite the females a bit harder than cresteds do. You may encounter tail eating when kept in groups, the females may eat the males tail, which will be a good source of extra nutrition for her when laying eggs. Once the eggs have been laid they should be trasferred to a incubator set to about 70-80 F, there is a lot of debate as to whether these are TSD (temperature sex dependant).

On hatching the youngsters are between 2.5 and 3.3 inches long and weigh about 1.5 gramms. After a day left alone in the incubator they should be transferred to individual 'tubs' young Gargoyles should not be housed together as they are well known tail eaters. If housed together the stronger ones will harrass the smaller ones, taking the food first and sometimes( whether on purpose or not) biting the tail so it drops off, and then eating it. This is of course a good source of protein for the gecko, which grows all the quicker with the extra food, and so the smaller ones will get weaker and may get eaten by their siblings. The hatchlings should of course have a small water bowl in with them as well as frequent misting.

                                                              Jasper

                   Rhacodactylus Chahoua.

The chahoua inhabits the Southern and Central area's of New Caledonia, and is also found on the Isle of Pines.

Description

The Rhacodactylus chahoua reaches a SVL of 5.7 inches with an overall length of approximately 10 inches, making it the third largest of all of the Rhac species.
In general the Isle of Pines chahoua tends to be more colourful than the Grande Terre (mainland) type, displaying reds, greens, and browns. Though this is not always the case as I have seen some very pretty mainland forms.
The Rhac Chahoua has the most prehensile tail of all the Rhac species,they tend to hold it in a coiled position when resting. The Rhac Chahoua is one of my favourite species, they are so chunky and usually very calm when being handled.
Another thing which the Rhac Chahoua display is excellant camouflage, especially when young. (see pic below of one of my  hatchlings)  

Housing

Chahoua can be housed the same as the other species, though they do prefer stout branches and like to shelter in hollow logs and curled cork bark. They should have plenty of horizontal as well as verticle placed branches. Some people believe that chahoua need more humidity than other species of Rhacs, I have not found this to be the case with my chahoua as long as a water bowl is present and they get misted (though no more than the others) A pair or trio can be housed in an enclosure measuring 20 x 20 x 32 inches this is minimum size, obviously the bigger the better.

Diet

The chahoua eats exactly the same as other species of Rhacodactylus, they love the two part Superfood as well as cockroaches and/or crickets and small locusts.
Special attention must be given however to breeding females (see breeding).

Breeding

Chahoua should be at least 14 months old before attempting to breed them, though 18 months would be much better. Chahoua follow much the same as the other species of Rhacodactylus. There is usually a gap of about 60 days between clutches, and only about 3 clutches are laid per year, they can lay more clutches but it would really take a lot out of the females.
The eggs of chahoua are very calcified, because of this extreme care must be taken with the laying females to prevent them getting calcium deficiency and/or MBD. The production of the eggs and the laying down of calcium on them is very taxing on the females. You should ensure she has plenty of correct food with extra supplementation if needed.
You should be extra vigilant at this time and look for the early signs of MBD, these include zig-zagging of the tail and/or twitching of the toes/limbs. These early signs are a warning and should be acted upon at the first signs, extra supplements/calcium should solve the problem if caught at this early stage. If not acted upon the female could become very ill. The later stages of MBD include an inability to walk properly since the legs simply cannot hold the body weight, also the jaw becomes very soft and may even hang down (looking broken) this of course means the gecko cannot feed, if not acted upon at this stage (Veterinary treatment) your gecko will probably die.

Chahoua do not generally use a laying box as the other Rhacs do (although one of my females does) instead they simply lay them on the floor of the vivarium, and may or may not attempt to cover them with a little substrate. As already stated the eggs of chahoua differ from other Rhac species in that instead of being leathery, they are covered in a calcium matrix which makes them rigid. Female chahoua (like Leachianus) will guard her eggs for 24-48 hours. Because the eggs are usually removed after this time it is not known for certain exactly how long she would carry on guarding them.

The eggs of Rhac Chahoua can be incubated in the same way as other Rhacodactylus, they can however be problamatic to successfully hatch, because of the rigidity and the highly calcified covering on the shell.                            
On the surface the egg looks fine and healthy, you assume the embryo inside is growing well, but inside the egg could house a dead gecko.The eggs of other Rhac species which have a leathery shell will show signs of dehydration etc but the eggs of Rhac Chahoua show no outward signs of anything being wrong.
Another problem with the eggs of chahoua is when the egg shell is not as thick or rigid, you may think it will be easier for the hatchling to cut its way out of the egg. The problem lays in the fact that the female did not have enough calcium reserves to calcify the eggs properly, and so in turn the embryo will also be lacking in calcium and will probably be unable to hatch successfully (undercalcified eggs seldom hatch)
Even if the eggs are normal, its still not certain they will hatch, because of the calcium matrix covering on the eggs only the strongest hatchlings will have the strength to cut open the egg and escape. Once the young chahoua has successfully hatched, you can be sure you have one of the healthiest and cutest of all Rhac hatchlings.

Newly hatched chahoua are between 3.5 - 4 inches long, and as with the young of all the Rhac species the first couple of sheds are critical. Be sure you mist them at least twice a day, and once they have shed check to ensure there is no skin still left on, especially around the toes.
Rhacodactylus Chahoua youngsters display a unique defensive behaviour,  in that when threatened the will roll up into a ball tucking their head under the tail and drop (from trees etc, or in a vivarium) on landing they will remain very still for a while. In the wild the defence will save them from owls, larger Rhac species (leachianus)

Below is a pic showing the fantasic camouflage displayed by the chahoua.
                                    A newly hatched Venus. (can you spot her)

                                                      Here she is.

                                     And now 2007 guarding her clutch of eggs.

                  Rhacodactylus Sarasinorum.

Rhacodactylus Sarasinorum is only found in the tropical forests and bordering  scrublands of  Southern Grande Terre.
 
Description

The Rhacodactylus Sarasinorum (Slender Prehensile-Tailed Gecko, also called Roux's giant gecko) or Sara is one of the rarer species of Rhacs currently been kept in the UK. With a SVL of up to 5 inches and an overall size of up to 10 1/2 inches these are one of the larger of the Rhac species.
They were known at one time as very flighty, and indeed as hatchlings they are very quick but will tame down quite a bit with frequent and gentle handling. They may never be as popular as the crested gecko but if you are a serious keeper of the Rhac species you may want to include these in your collection. The Sara while not exhibiting all the colours and morphs of the crested, is beautiful in its own right. There is also a white spotted Rhacodactylus Sarasinorum, this gecko has white spots on its body and/or on the tail too, they can also have a white v on the back of the neck down to the shoulders. One thing to note is the Sara rarely autotomize their tails, I have kept them for a few years now and have not had one drop its tail. Its said that the only time they will drop their tails is if it is accidently trapped in the vivarium door etc. If the tail was thrown it would readily regenerate a new one.

 Housing

Saras can be housed in the same size enclosures as cresteds, although I have a pair in a vivarium measuring 3ft x 2ft x 4ft(length, width, height) this is a display viv in the lounge.
Like chahoua, saras prefer thick branches as well as cork bark and some leaves (which ours hide in during the day) again a water bowl is present and they are misted. at least once a day.

 Diet

Like the other Rhac species Saras will take cockroaches/crickets and also love the 2 part gecko diet, all flavours.

 Breeding

Sarasinorum pairs should be kept seperate until the age of about 15 - 18 months old. We have found this species as easy to breed as cresteds, and our pair live together all year round. It is thought by some breeders that this species can go a year or two without producing any eggs. The females will consume a lot more food in the weeks leading up to the first clutch being laid,so plenty of the correct food should be offered.

These again are very vocal during mating, and I have noticed that my female if not ready to mate will run away from him up the glass, it is quite funny as you can hear the pitter-patter of her feet on the glass. When she is ready I have noticed that she waves her tail when he comes near her, almost as if she is saying I won't run away this time.

My female does use a laying box, though it is known they will sometimes bury the eggs in the substrate, or between the roots of plants.The eggs are incubated at the same temps as all our Rhacs eggs.
When newly hatched they measure 3.2-4.0 inches, and show a bright red colour for the first few days, after which they are miniatures of the parents.The White Spotted sub- species show the white markings as soon as they hatch. R. Sarasinorum are very quick at this age, and because of the stories about them being so flighty it has affected their popularity,but if handled from the start they do become tame. sara's have very good appetites and soon grow, once adult as long as you keep up the handling sessions they can become quite tame.

                                     Elton & Kiki (showing how calm they are)

 One of my hatchlings (2007) proving they can be just as tame as crested geckos.

 A very rare White Spotted Sarasinorium (photo with kind permission of Dean Rudman)

                        (All photos with very kind permission of Andrew Gilpin USA) 

                                                  Crested Gecko.

                                                  Gargoyle Gecko.

                       Next is a sequence of photographs of a chahoua jumping.

Rhacodactylus Leachianus Leachianus GT (Grande Terre)

These true giants of the gecko world are to be found in the primary forests of the Island of Grande Terre, which is the largest of the Islands of New Caledonia.
This is probably the largest known gecko species in the world, being surpassed only by the now (probably?)  extinct Hoplodactylus delacourte from New Zealand, (the only species on record having a SVL of 16 inches)

Poindimie-Type A - Dark Morph (AP) found in the forests around Poindamie.

The characteristics of this particular form include enlarged elongated canthus in females, usually large uniform snout scales in adults, with a lack of white blotches on the dorsum, with or without lateral fuze animzy edged blotches. These animals have relativly long tails, with the females generally growing larger than males. 

Size - SVL of up to 10.5 inches with an overall length of 15 inches.

Colour and Pattern - Poindimie dark morph (On the eastern side of Grand Terre) this species tends to have a dark chocolate background colour, with or  without faint darker reticulation, also rows of small fuzzy edged white spots or thin whitish bars along the flanks.

Mount Koghis Type A  Dark Morph (Found on and around Mt Koghis)

Size SVL - up to 10.5 inches with an overall size of 15 inches.

Colour and Pattern - Contrasting colouration in various shades of green and brown hues resembling the bark of trees, with some individuals having white/whitish spots or bars on the body. Just to confuse matters some of the MT Koghis Dark Morphs are not always dark, some can be as pale as Yate light morphs!!!

Yate Light Morph Type A

Size - SVL up to 10.5 inches and an overall length of 15 inches.

Colour and Pattern - This gecko has a pale greenish heavy body, the pattern being reticulated, with some geckos showing whitish lateral lines with fuzzy edges. The females of this gecko develope long golden yellow heads.

Rhac Leachianus GT Type B (found in the same areas of Mt Koghis as the type A, also known as the blotched GT)

Size - This morph is smaller than other morphs of GT leachianus, with a SVL of 9 inches and an overall length of 13 inches.

Colour and Pattern - This morph is very attractive being  highly patterned, it has a tan coloured background with brown reticulation and varying amounts of whitish to pinkish lateral blotches or bars, which may or maynot include dark speckling. Babies can be distinguished from other GT forms by their ash white background and (in some babies) rows of peachy coloured lateral bars.

Rhac Leachianus GT Type C  (found in the  forests around Poindimie or Hienghene)

size - the largest of the Leachianus Species, with a SVL of 13 inches and an overall length of 17 inches. Since not many of these are in captivity, the size could even be larger.

Colour and Pattern - These giants among giants have a dark green background with rows of well defined round white spots along the sides. They may also have yellow/orange spots on the head with some also on the dorsal area of the body.

A photograph of a young Riviere bleue GT which as its name suggests, originates from the Riviere bleue reserve.          (Photograph with kind permission of Spencer Rogers UK)

Below is an account of my own experiences of keeping these beautiful animals.  (The GT Mt Koghis type A dark form)

Housing

An adult pair of Rhac  L Leachianus will require an enclosure of at least 32 x 32 x 48 inches, with very stout branches that are safely  secured so as not to move when the gecko is climbing about, some large peices of cork bark and leafy cover and also a hollow log. My own male Rhac L Leachianus (Gandalf) is housed in a glass vivarium measuring 40 x 30 x 20 inches H L D (this is toughened glass)
A water bowl heavy enough so it doesn't tip over should be provided, and misting at least once a day.

Diet

These are BIG geckos, so need the correct feeding as youngsters to enable them to grow correctly, they will take everything from crickets to cockroaches and mice from pinkies to fully grown mice (depending on age and size of gecko), they also take well to the gecko diets. In the wild they probably also include the smaller species of Rhacodactylus ie: crested geckos etc, as well as other species of gecko with also inhabit these Islands inc Eurydactylus sp, Hemidactylus sp, Lepidodactylus sp, Bavayia Sp and maybe even Gerhyra sp. Also lots of fruits (whatever is in season) as well as small mammals.

Breeding

A lot of people see these large and quite rare (in UK) geckos as an easy way to make money through breeding, but its not that easy. Even if you have a PAIR of Rhac L Leachianus, there is no guarantee that they will breed, these geckos are not like cresteds it is not a case of putting a male and female together and waiting for eggs.
The two geckos should be introduced and watched carefully for any signs of bullying,even if they look as though they are getting along ok you still need to keep an eye on them over the next few days. You may notice bite marks or even tears on the skin, especially round the head area, you may notice that one of them sleeps on the ground while the other gets the best sleeping place ie; inside a hollow log, if the gecko who is being bullied is not removed serious injury or even death can occur, whether from injury or stress.

Another thing to consider is Rhac L Leachianus should not be kept in breeding groups (as crested geckos can) as you will usually end up with one of the females being bullied by the other. Some pairs just never get along, if you have such a pair you can maybe try and introduce them again at a later date of course you will have to watch them carefully, the other option is to permanantly house them seperately (as I have done) Even a pair who seem compatable can change later on.

So lets suppose your pair are getting along, your female should be well fed maybe offered one or two fuzzies or larger mice, as well as cocksroaches/crickets and gecko diet.As with other Rhac species these geckos also usually lay two eggs although they can be laid a couple of days apart, the female will use a 'box' to lay her eggs in, but obviously it needs to be big enough for her to climb into and feel comfortable, some people have used the large flower pots some success.
Female Rhac L Leachianus may guard their eggs for 24-48 hours after laying and will lunge and may bite your hand when trying to remove the eggs.
So you have safely removed the eggs, they need to be placed in an incubator and treated the same as the other Rhac species eggs. As with any eggs once the hatchling has started to come out of the egg it will probably rest for a while, do not try to help it out, once it is completely out and has been left to recover for a while it should be placed in a container with some kitchen roll in the bottom, a water bowl and a piece of cork bark to hide under, and to aid in the shedding proccess.
The hatchlings should be housed singly unless you can provide a container big enough  to prevent bullying of the smaller ones, feeding the correct food for hatchlings is very important, as they have a lot of growing to do, and to prevent MBD.

My Grande Terre Rhacodactylus Leachianus Leachianus Type A (Mt Koghis Dark Form)

My lovely boy is now at least 7 years old (he was an adult when I bought him) and the female (Arwen) I bought for him is not compatable so I will hopefully in the not to distant future try to get another female for him.
Gandalf can be a bit naughty, if he needs to be removed for cage cleaning ect, he is gently removed from his viv, my daughter holds him while I do the cleaning, for a while he behaves himself but when he has had enough he whistles, if this doesn't work he growls and if this still doesn't work he bites HARD. But we love him.

                                                            Gandalf

Below is a photograph of Mt Koghis, with Mt Humboldt in the background  (with very kind permission of Jean Jacques Espirat)

Rhacodactylus Leachianus Henkeli (Henkels Giant Gecko)

This is a subspecies found on the Isle of Pines and surrounding islands, and so is also known as the offshore island giant gecko. These geckos have evolved habitat-adaptive morphological characteristics, which is similar to what has happened on the Galapogos Islands.

Among the most distinctive of these insular populations are what have been named Ecotype 3 giant geckos. These were first discovered in 1995 by Philippe de Vosjoli and Frank Fast, in the dry forests of Nuu Anna. In 1997 another population of Ecotype 3 was discovered on Nuu Ami, and a variant on island I known as Ecotype 4.

Size - The largest specimen collected in the wild from the Isle of Pines,had a SVL of 8.1 inches. Adult Ecotype 2 have a SVL from 5.9 - 7.9 inches. Large Ecotype 3 males are about 7 inches SVL. Mature Nuu Ana and Nuu Ami leachianus range between 5.5 and 6.5 inches SVL.

Ecotype 1 - Inhabit primary tropical forests of 50 feet or more tall. The forests of these geckos resembles closly the habitat inhabited by the Grande Terre giant geckos. These are the largest of the Henkels giant geckos, their tails are long when compared to the other Ecotypes.
Ecotype 1 display lateral rows of small white/light blotches. Representatives of the type include the Isle of Pines and Komoto island offshore giant geckos.

Ecotype 2 - These geckos live in mixed forest habitat on small islands. The height of the trees is no more than 25 feet from the ground, though geckos are usually found at a height of no more than 15 feet from the ground on primary branches or on the tree trunk.

Ecotype 3 - Inhabit forests of under 15 feet tall on very small islands. Most geckos were found in hollows of under 6 feet, some only 3 feet from the ground. In ecotype 3 giant geckos the males usually grow largerthan the females.
The snout is forshortened, the tail base is bulbous in both males and females making telling them apart readily very difficult. These geckos are patterned with large light coloured rows or bars, either pink or pure white, they have middorsl and lateral botches which are usually large. Yellow spotting is also commonally seen.

Ecotype 4 - These are large headed robust geckos have only been found on island I. The snout is elongated in both sexes, and the underside of the  tail base is almost as bulbous in both males and females, making it difficult to tell them apart. The head of the male is unusually broad, in the eye the iris tends to be dark.
When studying them in the wild a lot of crab shells were found at the base of tree hollows inhabited by these geckos,   it is possible that the crabs form a large part of this geckos diet.

Population Morphs.

Isle of Pines and Komoto - Ecotype 1 - These and possibly Ecotype 2 geckos inhabit these islands.
They are to be found in tall primary forest ranging from 30 to more than 50 feet tall. Many of the animals that were sold in the pet trade as Isle of Pines giant geckos are suspected to be descendants of smuggled animals collected from the Bayonnaise Island E. Relativley few true Isle of Pines Henkels giant geckos are thought to be in captivity. And as far as is known there are no Komoto specimens in captivity.

Menore. Island B Ecotype 2. These were fisrt reported in 1995 by Phillipe de Vosjoli and Frank Fast. At the time only one animal was collected and this was very dark, so dark in fact it was tending towards melanism. The habitat on Menore is short to medium forest with stands of 'araucaria' growing more than 80 feet tall. The giant geckos however do not live on the araucaria as they do not readily produce hollows, and also produce a sticky resin when the branches are broken. It is thought there are no representatives of this morph in captivity.

Bayonnaise Island C Ecotype 2. These geckos were the first of the Henkels giant geckos to appear in the trade. The Bayonnaise is probably the most common of any of the giant geckos in captivity.

Size - This morph can grow to just over 8 inches SVL in captivity.

Colour and Pattern - This morph is variable and is hard to distinguish from other Ecotype 2 geckos. In general though these geckos have rows of white blotches along the sides and some specimens have white bars. They also have speckling which is the same as the background colour. In certain specimens the iris is finely reticulated and may look grey from a distance.

Island D Ecotype 2 - This morph was first reported by Phillipe de Vosjoli and Frank Fast in 1995.
These large geckos robust geckos are very attractive can have a pale yellowish background colour. Some have black spotting on the light background colour, and some show some yellow spotting. The iris is finely reticulated and appears grey around the edges of the eye. This is perhaps one of the prettier of the Ecotype 2 geckos.

Island E Ecotype 2 - Again first reported by Phillipe de Vosjoli and Frank Fast in 1995.

Size - In captivity this morph can exceed 8 inches SVL and are one of the largest of the Henkeli giant geckos.

Colour and Pattern - This is a colourful morph often displaying lots of pinks and some yellow spotting, and is well represented in captivity.

              A pair of Isle E Henkeli mating (photos with kind permission of Dean Rudman)

                                  This is how they are to be found during the day.

Nuu Ana Island G - Again first reported in 1995 by  Phillipe de Vosjoli and Frank Fast.
These are a represenative of the Ecotype 3 geckos.

Colour and Pattern - These geckos are the most beautiful of the naturally occuring morphs of giant geckos, along with the Nuu Ami (see below) This morph is characterized by its small size noteably in the females, these geckos have stout heavy bodies, foreshortened snouts, light coloured iris and short tails. Interestingly in some specimens the iris is tilted upwards, giving a stargazing impression. The background colour tends to be uniform in males and more patterned in females. The most outstanding feature are the bold crisp-edged bright white blotches, speckled with crisp black, on the sides tail and limbs. In most specimens, spotting is usually present on the belly and to some extent on the dorsal area. The belly area may be spotted, females have a wide bulbous tail base, making them difficult to distinguish from the males upon initial inspection. The females also have a more slender head than the males, making them look almost bug-eyed.      
This morph may possibly be extinct in the wild as a result of the introduction of the crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis) this name derives from the ants characteristic erratic and rapid movement not following trails as often as other ants.

                                                       (Photo - Dean Rudman)

Nuu Ami Island H - Ecotype 3 - First reported in 1995 by Phillipe de Vosjoli and Frank Fast. This morph is most closely related to Nuu Ana yet there are significant differences. This morph is small in size, A foreshortened snout, a greenish background colour which is mottled giving a mossy/lichenous appearance. It has a pattern of fuzzy-edged, light blotches often pink and speckled with fuzzy-edged spots the colour of the background. Another feature of the Nuu Ami giant gecko is the irregular W shaped, pinkish fuzzy-edged blotches running down the middle of the back. Some Nuu Ami have varying amounts of bright carmine red blotches, and all have bright yellow blotches.    
Another characteristic which distinguishes them from Nuu Ana is the eye. The iris is highly reticulated and can appear grey in wild collected animals. The tail base is bulbous in both sexes.
The giant gecko population of Island H is nearly extinct, primarily because of rats, which were in the tree hollows and out at night looking for food. Introduced ants are also a problem for the geckos.

Island I - Ecotype 4 - (''The Pitbull Leachianus'') First reported in 1998 by Phillipe de Vosjoli and Frank Fast, Island I is letter coded to prevent smugglers from attempting to access this island. This island is only the size of an American football field, and is free from introduced ants. Unlike the Nuu Ana and Nuu Ami populations, Island I geckos are large with elongated snouts with heterogenous scales, and very broad heads, which is why they are nicknamed ''Pitbulls''They have crisp bright white blotches similar to those found on Nuu Ana type geckos.
The background colour is a uniform yellow brown. The tail base of both males and females is bulbous making this characteristic useless in sexing them. They need to be sexed using a loupe lens, to examine the preanal pores.
Both males and females, with maturity tend to develope a uniform background colouration and small round crisp white blotches speckled with black. The iris appears grey with extensive reticulation. Babies have a distinctive enlongated snout.
These geckos were found in trees within 20 feet of the waters edge, in one case within 6 feet of sea water. Because of the wide jaws of these geckos, and the lack of fruit found on the island, it is thought their diet must consist primarily of invertebrates. In fact quite a lot of crushed crab shells were found around their tree hollows.

Island K - Ecotype 2 - First reported in 1997 by Phillipe de Vosjoli and Frank Fast. These attractive giant geckos have a darkbrown background with neatly aligned narrow fuzzy edged light bars or spots along the sides. These are a very nice velvety looking gecko. It is hoped that these animals will reproduce in sufficient numbers in captivity, since they appear to be doomed in the wild. There are ants which gather on the foliage, and are thought (judging by the bite) to be fire ants.

Herpetological Morphs

'Snowflake morph' - This is a line of Henkels giant geckos derived from a single ''odd'' individual produced from a pair of animals thought to have been collected on Bayonnaise. The snowflake characteristic consists of numerous white blotches distributed over the entire body.

'Yellow Spot Ana' - A line of giant geckos that originated with a pair of wild collected Nuu Ana animals, which had extensive bright yellow spotting. Breeders are concentrating there efforts into selectively breeding and outbreeding these geckos to increase the size and amount of yellow spotting.

Super Ana - A selectively bred line of geckos by Phillipe de Vosjoli, which have been bred for large white bars with crisp borders and crisp black speckling. Mature animals also tend to develope bright yellow spotting.

Rhacodactylus Trachyrhynchus Trachyrhynchus
           The Greater Rough-Snouted Gecko.

This gecko is found on all of the highlands and the Southern parts of Grande Terre.
The more common (and easier) name people use for this species in the Trachy. Along with the subspecies R.T.Trachycephalus, these are the rarest of all the Rhac species to be kept in captivity.

Description.

Rhacodactylus T. Trachyrhynchus is the second largest of the Rhacodactylus species, with a SVL of 7.5 inches and an overall length of about 12 inches. It is also the largest live bearing species of gecko in the world  While still quite common in the wild, this species is the rarest of all the Rhac family to be kept by reptile hobbyists, with few specimens being kept in either Europe or USA collections. In the wild it is thought that like Rhac.Leachianus, T.Trachyrhynchus use tree hollows to hide in during the day.
These geckos are sexually dimorphic. With the males having a dark to greyish brown background colour, and large contrasting whitish spots. While the females are yellowish brown with smaller, less contrasting spots. Mature males have a pronounced hemipenal bulge.
This species has a potential lifespan  that could reach 30 years or more.
although not as noisy as Rhac.Leachianus, Greater-Rough Snouted geckos can at times be quite vocal, such as when a group gathers around a communal feeding bowl, or sometimes when settling down into their favourite resting place. Under these cicumstances it is not unknown to hear them 'chattering' to each other for long periods of up to an hour.

Housing.

The basic husbandry of these geckos is very similar to that of Rhac.Leachianus, including diet.
It is only when keeping this species in a naturalistic vivaria that the owner will be able to observe the many interesting behaviours displayed by these fascinating geckos, including the vocalisation and social behaviour, of these intelligent geckos. It is considered by the few people who are lucky enough to have this species in their collections that they must be housed in large landcaped vivaria, these geckos become stressed if housed in small sterile enclosures, also if kept in the wrong conditions you may not be lucky enough to see their natural behaviour displayed.
Greater-Rough-Snouted geckos, should be provided with large cork bark tubes (for tree hollows) thick horizontal and diagonally placed branchese, and a few plants such as fiscus, benjamina and drachea. These geckos also require a large shallow water container, whose depth is equal to the twice the thickness of the animals body. These are the only New Caledonia geckos that will freely enter their water containers, to soak and swim.
When keeping more than one Greater-Rough-Snouted geckos together, care must be taken to ensure they are compatable together, as with other species males cannot be kept together, and even some females may not get along.
In general though this is a very social species, and they will even sleep next to each other during the day. At night both 'subspecies' will follow each other around, crawl under and over each other performing tougue flicks, or licking each other.

Breeding.

If maintained under the same conditions as Rhac. Leachianus, Greater-Rough-Snouted-Geckos will usually breed. They produce one baby per year, if the correct conditions for housing, feeding etc are met. If these geckos are underfed, subject to immproper temperatures, or if excessivley disturbed, this could lead to them skipping a year or more between breeding. Gravid females will appear thicker bodied than normal, and also show behavioural changes. Their movements will be slower and more deliberate, they will also bask more frequently, and can appear more irritable.
Greater-Rough-Snouted-Geckos, typically give bith to two babies at a time, usually one male, recognisable by the dark colouration with high contrast whitish spots, and one female with a paler background colouration and smaller less distinct spots. There is thought to be no evidence to suggest the babies sexes are temperatur dependant. The females display some parental care initially. Babies of this species will need at least 3 years to reach sexual maturity.

A photograph showing a male Greater-Snouted-Gecko, you can see the very enlarged scales on the snout.                (Photos with kind permission of Steve Cemelli)

                                                        A female.

Rhacodactylus Trachyrhynchus Trachycephalus

            Lesser Rough-Snouted-Gecko
These are a sub-species of the Greater-Rough-Snouted-Gecko.
On Island E where these animals were discovered, they were found to be living in trees at a height of less than twelve feet from the ground.
These geckos are the rarest of the Rhacodactylus species, and endangered in the wild.

The R.T.Trachycephalus is a smaller slender gecko, with a SVL of 5-5.5 inches and an overall length of 9 inches. With newborns measuring around 3.5 inches in total.

They are a social, gregarious species that does not appear to form pair bonds (as the R.Leachianus do) This species was thought to be a very flighty and nervous. But having spoken to someone who actually keeps them in USA, we are assured that they are no more flighty than the Rhac.Sarasinorum, which as we have already stated (and shown with photo's) do tame down very well with regular gentle handling.
If however you do grab one of these geckos suddenly you would be in for a shock. Their teeth are very long (for their size) and the bite they could inflict would be deep and very painful.

Housing.

The basic care of these geckos, is very similar to that of the Greater-Rough-Snouted gecko. The diet is the same too.

Breeding.

The males of this specieshave a darker background colour, with higher contrast spots than the females. Adult males have a pronounced hemipenal bulge.
The pregnant females will spend a great deal of time under the  basking light during the day. Knowing the gestation period is very difficult, since you would have to notice the time of copulation, this is not an easy task since these are very a  secretive, nocturnal species.
The females will display a certain amount of parental attention, and will often follow their babies around the enclosure after birth. It is thought by F.W Henkel that the males of this species is cannibalistic, and may eat their babies.

(Photos with very kind permission of Terri Kane USA)

                                            Terri's male Spot

                                            Female Paisley

Below is a short account of the behaviour of these fascinating geckos, as told by Terri Kane.

[Quote]They seem to move up a vertical surface more expediently than they can across a horizontal surface, such as a floor.  When they run across the floor, they have an extravagant waddle to them.  When you handle them, they look at you with their piercing alert eyes, and seem to take it all in.  My two indeed sleep curled up together and follow each other around in the evening, often resting atop each other.  My friendin recommended laying worn clothing over part of their cage to get them used to your personal scent, and I routinely leave something on their cork bark on its way to the laundry room for a couple of days.  It makes for some funny housekeeping  to reclaim clothing from sleeping geckos when I have unexpected visitors. Another tip from another keeper is to make a show of letting them see you introduce food into their enclosure so that they know from whence food comes.  So far I haven't followed up on this since mine seem to know me well enough. I've had them since they were 5 months old and they're now 18 months old. I feed mine mainly the Repashy 2-part, B. dubia roaches once a week, sometimes a bit of  strawberry yogurt, and sometimes the Clark diet for variety.[Quote]

Below are some photos of 2 different sets of babies recently born (With very kind permission of Steve Cemelli)