WEEK 5, Straight out of New Caledonia comes the giant gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus)

This gecko is a favorite amongst Rhacodactylus lovers, and pretty much gecko lovers world-wide. This species was recently studied and brought over from the mainland and several other surrounding New Caledonian islands. All different types of 'locals' (location specific phenotypes) of this gecko exist and each has its own distinguishing features whether being their size including weight and girth, color, snout size and formation or blotching and pattern. These beefy geckos can reach in excess of 1 pound (!) and feed mainly on figs and other fruits in the wild, but being opportunistic they will eat most adequately sized insects or juvenile rodents without hesitation. These geckos reside under bark or in tree hollows in the wild, and 'locals' include but are not limited to Nu Ana, Nu Ami, Brosse, Kanawha, as well as mainland varieties (which are the largest)ie. mount kogus, poindemie etc. etc, and other area's which have been charted and others which have not. This gecko is one of the largest geckos in existence and its sheer mass is sure to impress.