Mountain beech gecko

Woodworthia “south-western”

At Risk - Declining

The mountain beech gecko (Woodworthia “south-western”) may look like every other brown gecko in New Zealand, but you best believe this beloved bruiser is beautiful.

Quick Facts:

• Body length (snout-to-vent) up to 93 mm.
• These chunky critters are typically brown or grey in colour often with contrasting blotches.
• Mountain beech geckos live in the mountains (up to ~1,300 m), beech, and — surprise — in mountain beech (Fuscospora cliffortioides). They absolutely love complex rock piles and mouse-proof crevices too!
• These geckos are primarily nocturnal, but will readily slide in and out of crevices to catch a few rays during the day (especially pregnant females).

We can’t tell you exactly where these geckos live, but they’re Queenstown locals that weave their way from Whakatipu to Fiordland. We’re currently working on several small-scale predator control projects with local community groups in the hopes of helping these marvellous mokomoko.

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