Endangered New Zealand:

The New Zealand Northern Gecko is indigenous to New Zealand. It wasnt brought by other cultures who colonized New Zealand. Numbers have dropped since the arrival of humans.

the Gecko has become indangered because of the deforestation rate of New Zealand. We are cutting down the Geckos natrual habitat and turning it into pine forests and farm land, which of cource the Gecko cant live in. Geckos need to live in dense dark rainforests. therefore, us destroying their nartual habitat is destroying their species.

what we are doing to help the Gecko
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/reptiles-and-frogs/lizards/geckos/docs-work/

Community

Habitat:

found in  New Zealand North of Whangaroa. usually found in arboreal forests (forests with lots of thick big trees) found on the forest floor.

Environment:

Typical summer maximum air temperatures range from 22 to 26 degrees celsius, but sometimes exceed 30. Winter daytime air temperatures range from 12 to 17 degrees, with the occasional overnight temperature producing a ground frost, although usually only on low lying inland areas.
There are about 2000 hours of sunshine every year.
Average annual rainfall is 1,500mm. There are variations within the district with coastal areas receiving about 900mm and some of the higher hill country getting over 2,000mm.

competition:

for leaves and plants, geckos will compete with animals such as incect larvae and incects, and for eating incects, they compete with animals such as birds.

Northland Green Gecko

The New Zealand Northland Green gecko is a Naultinus gecko. Generally found in New Zealand, Northland, North of Whangaroa. Usually found in habitats like Arboreal (among trees). This is an endangered species in New Zealand therefore has been protected.

Diet:

The Northland Green Gecko has  a diet of mainly insects and spiders.

 

Physical Appearance:

Physical appearance:Body length from nose to the base of the tail is about 95 mm, 9.5cm. Tail is tapered (gets shorter at one end), and longer than the body. Geckos can be identified from other lizards by their flattened heads and swollen at the sides. The skin of Naultinus is bright green, and many of them  have white or yellow patterns on the back and legs. This species also has a blue-lined mouth and a red tongue.

Adaptations

structural:  

Gecko eyelids are transparent and they are all ways shut which  forms a protective screen. The eye protective screen is cleaned with the tongue. Their toes are long and have curved claws to help climb and stay on branches. However, their toes still have the rows of scales to help cling to smooth surfaces. They can shed their tails if needed, although arboreal geckos seem not to. The tail is useful in climbing. Geckos have well-developed vocal cords and can communicate both by barking or chirping and by clicking their tongues against the roof of the mouth.

Physiological:

All 17 species of New Zealand geckos give birth to live young (usually twins) rather than laying eggs like many lizards. The young are born in autumn, although in captivity births have been recorded much later in the year.

Behavioural:

Many Types if not all choose to sun bask when its hot outside, which is very much like sunbathing untill they have enough energy to continue their day. During this time they are still very alert.

Geckos

There are at least 39 species of gecko in New Zealand. However, now only 18 of these have been officially found, and discoveries of new species can sill happen. Geckos are found throughout New Zealand on both main islands and most offshore islands. They can live in a wide range of altitudes from sea level to c. 2200 m and a variety of habitat types forest and scrub, tussock grasslands, rock outcrops and scree.

These species belong to two genera:

 

 Hoplodactylus:

11 been officially found and an estimated 20 to still be found
colour: mostly grey or brown with striped or banded patetrens
Habits: Mainly nocturnal or active at dawn and dusk, although some species, such as the harlequin gecko, are also active during the day.

 

 

Naultinus:

 been officially found and 1 yet to be discovered
colour: bright excentric greens
active during the day