Orange-spotted gecko
Mokopirirakau
At Risk - Declining
Among New Zealand’s most specialised alpine rock-dwelling reptiles, the Orange-spotted gecko is a striking and locally endemic species found only in the sub-alpine to alpine boulderfields, talus slopes and rocky herb/ tussock country of the Western Otago and Queenstown-Lakes regions.
Quick Facts:
- This gecko grows to a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of up to around 95 mm, with the tail being equal to or shorter than the body length.
- Colour and pattern vary markedly: the dorsal surface may be grey, grey-brown, olive-brown, rusty orange or pinkish orange, often marked with pale blotches, transverse bands or dorsolateral stripes (which may be edged dark brown or black). Many individuals are overlaid with irregular orange, black, brown or white spots. A distinctive V-shaped marking is typically present on the head behind the eyes. Ventral surface is typically grey or pale orange, often with dark speckles. Tongue and interior of the mouth bright orange in many individuals.
- These geckos are primarily terrestrial and saxicolous (rock-dwelling) and are active at least at night (nocturnal) though basking behaviour by day has been observed.
- They inhabit altitudes from approximately 1,100 m to 1,800 m above sea level, in boulderfields, talus slopes, scree, rock outcrops and rocky tussock/herbfield terrain.
- Remarkably cold-tolerant, individuals have been seen emergent even on sub-zero nights.
- This species is viviparous (giving birth to live young) and typically produces one or two offspring biennially (once every two years) in October/November.
- Sexual maturity is probably reached between 1.5 to 2 years but may take up to 4 years in these alpine populations.
Protecting the Orange-spotted gecko means preserving intact alpine and sub-alpine rocky habitats – especially boulderfields, screes, talus and rock outcrops with adjacent tussock, herbfield or low vegetation cover. Ensuring minimal disturbance of these fragile high-country ecosystems, and controlling introduced mammalian predators (e.g., rats, stoats) are key.
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