Geckos of the Wellington Region

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Geckos of the Wellington region Forest Gecko Common Gecko Green Gecko A Morrison A Morrison Wellington Region: Gecko Identification Card ID feature Forest gecko Common gecko Green gecko Mokopirirakau ‘southern North Woodworthia maculata Naultinus punctatus Island forest gecko’ Maximum SVL (snout-to-vent length) 89mm 82mm 95mm “Vent” = anal opening Scales on flat upper part of snout No No Yes noticeably larger than body scales Head Thin dark V shape on head between the eyes; white bands form eye to ear; much white around mouth edges. Inside mouth Inside of mouth orange or yellow. Inside of mouth and tongue whitish to Inside of mouth and tongue dark blue. pale pinkish. Tongue yellow sometimes with a pink tip. Back Brightly coloured in grey, brown or Mainly grey or brown with markings Bright green. reddish brown with lots of black and that may include patches of black, Often with yellow, white or pale green white and sometimes yellowish white, yellow orange and olive green. patches on either side along the edge patches. Irregular markings usually run across of the back. Pattern is a series of large irregular the body but some have longitudinal blotches usually without stripes. stripes. Underside or stomach Blotched/mottled. Pale usually unspotted. Pale green. Tail Slender and able to grip well. Thick and unable to grip well. Slender and able to grip well. Often regrown. Seldom shed. Toes Narrow and tapering toes with Broadly expanded pads. Narrow and tapering toes with slightly expanded pads. expanded pads. References: Gill, B.J. & Whitaker, A.H. 2001. New Zealand frogs and reptiles. David Bateman Ltd. Auckland, NZ Towns, D.R. 1988. A field guide to the lizards of New Zealand. New Zealand Wildlife Service Occasional Publication No. 7 Photos by Richard Romijn (unless otherwise stated) GW/COM-G-09/186 .

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