Breeding animal
Species
New Caledonian Giant Gecko
The world’s largest living gecko, a nocturnal tree-dweller found only in New Caledonia.
Our collection
Breeding animals of this species
Breeding animal
Hera
Breeding animal
Zeus
Species profile
New Caledonian Giant Gecko Rhacodactylus leachianus
Origin & natural range
Restricted to New Caledonia, including parts of the main island and several smaller offshore islands.
General husbandry
New Caledonian giant geckos need a tall, structured enclosure with thick branches, cork tubes and protected sleeping places. Good ventilation, natural humidity cycles and a balanced diet suitable for New Caledonian geckos are important. Pairs must be watched carefully for compatibility.
Key parameters
General guide: moderately warm conditions with a clear night-time drop, regular humidity cycles and good airflow. Provide strong vertical structure, thick branches or cork tubes and a balanced diet.
Space & enclosure
Use a tall enclosure that is also wide and deep enough to offer plenty of real climbing area and sheltered sleeping sites. Pairs need considerably more space and several ways to avoid one another.
Diet
In the wild: Fruit, nectar and animal foods such as insects, with occasional small vertebrate prey.
In human care: A complete high-quality fruit-based gecko diet as the staple, supplemented with suitable feeder insects; ensure balanced mineral nutrition.
Conservation & CITES
Rhacodactylus leachianus is not generally listed in the CITES Appendices at present. National or regional rules and proof of legal origin may still apply.
Special notes & safety
Not venomous. Large animals can deliver a strong bite, so pairing and handling should be approached carefully.
The husbandry information and space recommendations on this page are general guidance. Legal minimum requirements vary between countries and regions and must always be checked locally. Before buying any animal, please take the time to learn about the species in depth – you are welcome to ask us, and we also recommend good specialist literature. Husbandry should always be adapted to the species, locality, age, size and individual animal.
Skeleton of New Caledonian Giant Gecko
Natural range
