Harmless · Native to New Caledonia · Kept as a pet

New Caledonian giant gecko

Rhacodactylus leachianus (Cuvier, 1829)

Also called leachie
Data updated October 2026

New Caledonian giant gecko wrapped around a curved branch at night, with pale blotches on an olive-brown back
Fig. 1 — Adult wrapped around a curved branch at night.
Close view of a yellow-and-brown mottled giant gecko’s head with a slit pupil
Fig. 2 — Head detail of a yellow-and-brown mottled individual.

At a glance

The largest living gecko, a heavy-bodied tree dweller of New Caledonia’s forests. It shelters in tree hollows by day, climbs into the canopy at night, and can make a loud growling call.

01

Identification

A massive gecko with a broad head, thick body, loose skin and a short, thick tail. Color is mottled brown, gray, olive or green, often with pale blotches or bands and sometimes pink or lavender tints. The toes carry large adhesive pads. Animals from Grande Terre are larger; those from smaller offshore islands are smaller and often more mossy green.

  1. 01Very large size. Much bulkier than any other gecko.
  2. 02Bark-like mottling. Brown, olive and gray skin with pale blotches.
  3. 03Short, thick tail. Much shorter than the head and body.

Commonly confused with

Both relatives are much smaller and have longer tails.

02

Size

01 ft2 ft3 ft4 ft Typical adult · about 14 in (36 cm)

Sources give total lengths from about 8 to 17 inches (20–43 cm). Mainland Grande Terre animals are the biggest, at about 14 to 17 inches and 7.5 to 9.8 ounces (212–279 g). Island forms reach about 9 to 12 inches.

03

Range & habitat

Head of an olive-green giant gecko resting on a weathered branch
Fig. 3 — An adult resting on a weathered branch.

The giant gecko lives only in New Caledonia, on the main island of Grande Terre and on smaller nearby islands. It occupies humid forest along the coast and in the mountains.

By day it shelters in tree hollows and cracks in trunks, and at night it climbs into the canopy to feed.

04

Diet

Giant geckos are omnivores. They eat insects, spiders and small vertebrates, including the occasional small bird, as well as fruit, nectar and tree sap. Fruit is most important during the warmer season, with insects taking over later in the year.

Feeds on

  • Fruit, nectar and sap
  • Insects and spiders
  • Small vertebrates, occasionally small birds

05

Behavior & seasons

The giant gecko is nocturnal and highly vocal. It clucks, whistles, hisses and chirps, and can give a loud growl; local people call it “the devil in the trees”. Head-bobbing displays are also used in communication.

06

Reproduction

Males court females with clucking calls and head bobs. Females lay two eggs per clutch; in captivity they produce about two to five clutches a year.

07

Conservation

The species is listed as Least Concern and its population is considered stable. Threats include habitat loss, collection for the pet trade, and introduced predators such as pigs, dogs, cats and rats.

08

In captivity

Because of its size, the giant gecko needs a large, tall enclosure with thick branches and hollow cork or log retreats, moderate temperatures and regular misting. In captivity it is fed a powdered fruit-based complete food with live insects.

Lifespans of 20 years or more are reported in captivity. More pet care guides →

Keep reading

Sources

Data updated October 2026 · How we build these pages