Photo of the week: Harlequin gecko

Department of Conservation —  22/02/2017

Today’s photo is of a rare harlequin gecko/tukutuku rakiurae.

This species of gecko is endemic to Stewart Island/Rakiura in the far south of New Zealand, where it was discovered in 1969.

harlequin

The harlequin gecko is probably the most southern member of the gecko family. At 47° south of the equator, with low sunshine hours and frequent rainfall, Stewart Island is a challenging environment for reptiles.

DOC has classified the harlequin gecko as Nationally Vulnerable under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

Photo: James Reardon.

In Native animals, Photo of the week ,
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4 responses to Photo of the week: Harlequin gecko

  1. 
    Colin Williams 19/03/2017 at 3:30 pm

    Beautiful.

  2. 
    Colin Williams 19/03/2017 at 3:30 pm

    A lovely critter.

  3. 
    Sarah Bennett 22/02/2017 at 12:03 pm

    I agree. The most handsome gecko I’ve ever seen!

  4. 
    Anne 22/02/2017 at 8:56 am

    This is BEAUTIFUL – it looks as if it is made out of myriad tiny beads.