Auckland green gecko (Naultinus elegans)

Short answers

Auckland green gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×45×60 cm.

Auckland green gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 15–24 °C (VERY COOL), basking spot 25 °C, at night 8–14 °C.

Auckland green gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Auckland green gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–40 years.

Auckland green gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

15–24 °C (VERY COOL)

Night temperature

8–14 °C

Basking spot

25 °C

Humidity

65–80 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×45×60 cm

Substrate

Coco humus, dense hard-leaved planting (mānuka, hebe), climbing branches

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, wax moths, fruit purée, nectar

Feeding interval

2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–18 cm total length

Life expectancy

20–40 years

Origin

New Zealand – the North Island

Protection status

Strictly protected in New Zealand, export prohibited – only a few legal long-standing holdings exist in the EU

Brumation

A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 5–10 °C

Cohabitation

Single keeping. In the wild the species is solitary, and males are aggressive toward each other in the breeding season (scars); never keep two males together. Pairs (one male, one female) are possible if there are enough retreats, several warm spots and separate feeding; the male guards his female, which can stress her.

Notes

A brilliant green, diurnal gecko, and live-bearing – the females give birth to one or two fully developed young. It needs decidedly cool conditions; summer heat is the commonest cause of losses. Extremely long-lived; document the origin without fail.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Northland green gecko (Naultinus grayii) – Experts
• European leaf-toed gecko (Euleptes europaea) – Intermediate
• Cat gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus) – Expert
• Central American banded gecko (Coleonyx mitratus) – Beginner
• Common giant ground gecko (Chondrodactylus angulifer) – Intermediate
• Turnip-tailed gecko (Thecadactylus rapicauda) – Intermediate
• Texas banded gecko (Coleonyx brevis) – Beginner
• Western banded gecko (Coleonyx variegatus) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Auckland green gecko (Naultinus elegans) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×45×60 cm), substrate (Coco humus, dense hard-leaved planting (mānuka, hebe), climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.