Kōrero gecko
Woodworthia “Otago-large”
At Risk - Declining
Among the remarkable reptiles of New Zealand, the Kōrero gecko (Woodworthia “Otago/Southland large”) holds its place as a robust, vocal and ecologically fascinating species – confined to the southern parts of the South Island.
Quick facts
- This gecko grows to a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of up to 95 mm, with the tail being even longer.
- Colouration is generally brown or grey on the back, with blotches, chevrons or longitudinal stripes; the lower surfaces of the mouth and tongue are pink, and the tongue tip often shows a diffuse grey.
- Terrestrial/arboreal, found in beech forest, podocarp/hardwood forest, rocky grasslands, and alpine rocky areas up to ~1,300 m elevation.
- Primarily nocturnal, but also displays daytime behaviours such as basking in partial concealment or overt basking, and adjusts posture for thermoregulation – including pregnant females shortening gestation through basking.
- Unlike many geckos, the Kōrero gecko is highly gregarious. It may form large aggregations of various aged individuals in suitable rock-crevice retreats. Although antagonistic behaviour occurs, individuals tolerate each other in groups.
- One of its standout traits is its “chittering” or vocal nature – the common name kōrero (meaning “to talk or speak” in te reo Māori) honours this vocal behaviour.
The Kōrero gecko is a fine example of adaptation and diversity in New Zealand’s herpetofauna. Its combination of rock-dwelling and forest habitat use, social tendencies (unusual for many geckos), vocal behaviour and long gestation are all distinctive. Preserving its habitats – from inland rocky tors to forests and shrublands – is key, as is controlling predators and minimising disturbance to its retreat sites.
Back to: Biodiversity |
Lizards