Jewelled Gecko

The jewelled gecko, Naultinus gemmeus, is a species of gecko endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. There are two main subgroups of jewelled geckos: those living in Otago and those living in Canterbury. One obvious difference is that some of the males of the Canterbury geckos are grey or brown with yellow, purple and white markings; whereas all Otago geckos are green with yellow and white markings. These and other NZ geckos are highly protected and it is illegal to capture or disturb them.

The average jewelled gecko is 160 mm long, including its tail that accounts for almost half of its overall length.  The jewelled gecko has long clawed toes that are adapted to climbing the trees and bushes they live in.

Unlike most reptiles, which are silent, the jewelled gecko uses “chirping and chattering communication calls and a loud croak of alarm or distress” (Gill & Whitaker, 1996).

A gecko can be distinguished from other lizards by looking at its skin and its head. A gecko’s skin appears lose and has a uniform granular texture, like a bucket of small beads. Its head will also be wider than the rest of its body, and it will have a defined neck. To differentiate the Naultinus geckos (commonly called green geckos) from Hoplodactylus geckos, New Zealand’s other gecko genus, note the time of day they are active. Green geckos are diurnal, which means they are active during the day, while Hoplodactylus geckos are nocturnal, or active at night. As the name suggests, green geckos are generally greener than Hoplodactylus geckos, but the dull coloured male jewelled gecko in Canterbury is a notable exception. If you find a green gecko on Banks Peninsula or the Otago Peninsula with splotches or stripes running down its back, it is most likely a jewelled gecko because other Naultinus geckos are much less decorated.

Jewelled geckos prefer forest trees less than 2 metres high. Their slender clawed toes allow them to climb branches with ease, and their markings help them hide very well amongst the leaves.

Jewelled geckos breed annually, mating in September and October and giving birth in May or June. Although gestation is usually eight to nine months, studies show that geckos can delay fertilization. Along with the New Caledonian rough-snouted gecko, New Zealand Geckos are the only geckos in the world to give birth to live young. Researchers hypothesize this is most likely due to the need to keep developing geckos warm in the cool climate. Gecko live-births aren’t exactly like mammalian live births; the baby geckos develop in the eggs which remain in the oviduct until they hatch prior to birth, known as ovoviviparity. Each litter usually consists of twin geckos, each nearly half the length of the mother at birth. The young generally remain with their parents, although no parental care is provided. Geckos generally reach sexual maturity after three years, although some studies believe that sexual maturity is a factor of size rather than age, and therefore is dependent on climate and food availability.

The exact lifespan of the jewelled gecko is unknown, but is believed to be surprisingly long for a creature its size. Other Naultinus geckos live upwards of 20 years in captivity, and many of New Zealand’s lizards live for 10–12 years in the wild.

Jewelled geckos are insectivores. They stalk flies, beetles, and other insects very slowly before suddenly lunging and capturing their prey with their mouths. A common misconception is that geckos catch prey with their tongues, but the tongue is merely used to hold down the prey after it has been caught in a gecko’s mouth. Geckos will also eat soft fruit and berries, but hardly ever eat dead insects.

Because they are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and diurnal (active during the daytime), jewelled geckos  regulate their body temperature by moving in and out of the shadows provided by the plants they live in. They are expert climbers, using their long, clawed toes and prehensile tail to get around. Their tail is strong enough to hang by, and geckos use it like another leg. Geckos can purposefully lose their tail if threatened as a means of defense, but because is so useful, they are less likely to drop it than other lizards are. The tail will regrow, but will never be as long as the original, nor have the same colour or patterning.

Jewelled geckos shed their skin every six to eight weeks during the summer. A gecko’s eyelids are always closed, but are transparent so that it can still see. When a gecko’s eyelids get dirty, it will lick them clean with its tongue.

Traditional Maori significance and uses

Although there are no mentions of the jewelled gecko in particular, we know that the Maori were aware of the little creatures, and many carvings seem to represent geckos. The Maoris believed geckos, particularly green geckos, to be bad omens. As Sir W. Buller reports in an early 20th century account:…this lizard, on being molested, emits a peculiar chattering sound, which the Maoris term laughing, and of which they have a wide-spread superstitious dread. The laugh of the green lizard was enough to terrify the bravest warrior, and its occult power for evil was strangely believed in by all the tribes in every part of the country. The reptile itself, whether dead or alive, was an object of universal fear among them...

Modern Used

Geckos are popular pets, and the jewelled gecko is certainly no exception. Because it is a threatened species, there is a lot of paperwork involved in owning one. Since 1981, permission must be obtained from the Department of Conservation (DoC) to possess a jewelled gecko, and the gecko itself must be acquired from an existing breeder, as it is illegal to remove one from its natural habitat. The DoC permit must be renewed every three years, and a cage inspection is part of the issuing and renewal procprocess. Records of births, deaths, and exchanges between breeders must also be kept. Nevertheless, they remain a pet that brings excitement and discovery to many intrigued owners.

    

How to Care For Your Leopard Geckos

Leopard geckos are easy to care for. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, and have moveable eyelids. Leopard geckos include the leucistic, high yellow, and albino leopard geckos.

Average Size 6 to 9 inches long

Life Span 20+ years with proper care

Diet : Provide a variety of insects, including crickets, small mealworms and wax worms; use gut-loaded

(recently fed) crickets no larger than half the length of the gecko’s head.

Feeding : Feed juveniles every day; feed adults every other day. Dust food with calcium daily and a multi-vitamin supplement once or twice a week.

Housing : Due to the varied sizes and growth rates of reptiles, and their individualized needs, we recommend you consult your qualified reptile veterinarian and a book on this species to determine it’s specific housing requirements.

• Size – Appropriate sized habitat with a secure lid; a 10-20 gallon tank is recommended for one leopard gecko.

• Substrate – Use alfalfa-based pellets or calcium sand; geckos may eat substrate, if they do, select an edible substrate such as alfalfa pellets; repti-carpet or unbleached paper towels are also recommended substrate choices for leopard geckos.

• Habitat – Provide multiple hiding areas with non-toxic plants, branches, logs, and cork; environment should provide no less than 50% humidity to promote proper shedding.

• Temperature – Provide a temperature gradient by placing a heat source on one end of the tank; temperature should range from 78°F to 88°F with a basking area of 95°F.

• Lighting – 10-12 hours of light per day is required; because Leopard Geckos are nocturnal, they do not require UVB lighting like most other lizards; an incandescent bulb can be used for basking area during daylight hours only; can use a ceramic heater or a black heat bulb at all hours.

• Water – Provide a constant supply of clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water in a shallow bowl that cannot be tipped over.

Never house two or more male geckos, or different species of reptiles together.



Normal Behavior and Interaction

Leopard geckos have good dispositions. Active during the night and sleep during the day (nocturnal). Keep handling to a minimum; over handling geckos can cause them stress.

Habitat Maintenance

Change water in the bowl daily; pickup leftover food and feces right away. Thoroughly clean the tank at least once a week: place gecko in a secure habitat; scrub the tank and furnishings with a 3% bleach solution; rinse thoroughly with water, removing all smell of bleach; dry the tank and furnishings; and add clean substrate.

Grooming and Hygiene

Geckos regularly shed their skin; ensure humidity of habitat is appropriate to allow proper shedding; a shed box, which is essentially a hide box with damp sphagnum moss, is recommended as this will aid in the shedding process. Because all geckos are potential carriers of infectious diseases and salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your gecko and/or the habitat contents to help prevent the potential of spread of diseases. Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing and/or caring for a gecko and should consider not having a gecko as a pet. For more information regarding geckos and disease, contact the Center for Disease Control at

http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/

Signs of a Healthy Animal :
• Clear eyes
• Eats regularly
• Active and alert
• Clear nose and vent
• Body and tail are full
• Healthy skin

Red Flags :
• Weight loss or decreased appetite
• Swelling
• Bumps, sores, or abrasions on skin
• Paralysis of limbs or tail
• Mucus in mouth or nose
• Lethargy
• Labored breathing
• Abnormal feces

Fat-Tailed Leopord Gecko

Geckos are lizards belonging to the family Gekkonidae, found incolorful lizards throughout the world.They range from 1.6cm to 60cm. Geckos are unique among lizards in their vocalizations, making chirping sounds in social interactions with other geckos. Gekkonidae is the largest family of lizards, with an estimated 2,000 different species worldwide and many others likely yet to be discovered. The name stems from the Indonesian/Javanese word Tokek, inspired by the sound these animals make.

Geckos come in various patterns and colors such as purple, pink, blue, and black. Geckos are among the most colorful lizards in the world. They are most commonly found in the forests of Florence, County.

Leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius — The most common gecko kept as a pet is the leopard gecko, which does not have toe pads with setae, but rather claws. These enable it to more easily climb on rough surfaces like tree bark. This gecko cannot climb the glass of a terrarium. The leopard gecko tends to be docile and calm. These geckos are insectivores that feed on insects, worms, and spiders. In captivity most individuals will prefer hunting food for themselves. The majority of captive Leopard geckos will also refuse to eat dead prey. Crickets are the best food source to give them as they can hunt them in their enclosure the way they would in their natural environment. When food is scarce in the desert, they can rely on their ability to store excess fat in their tails. Sufficient calcium and vitamin D3 is also very important for their diet: How they obtain it in the wild is still unknown, although they likely receive this from their varied prey (moths, spiders and other insects). In captivity, it is near impossible to completely duplicate the diet they will have in the wild, so the most nutritious insects known are offered, usually dusted with a fine calcium powder with added vitamin D3. Also, their keen sense of smell and sight allow them to search for food in the wild, they will stalk their prey, just like an actual leopard will, and then strike when they are satisfied it is an edible prey item.

 

How to Care for your Leopard Gecko

1. Step 1: Housing and bedding

   A single leopard gecko should be kept in a well ventilated wooden or glass tank called a vivarium. It should measure about 60 centimetres by 35 by 45. Your pet will need a UV light with 2% UVB which should be on for 12-14 hours a day in summer and 8-10 hours in winter. Fit a heat pad with a thermostat at one end of the tank so there is a warmer and cooler area. The temperature should be kept between 27 and 30 degrees during the day and 20-22 degrees at night. Use a thermometer to check. Line the floor of the tank with calcium sand or newspaper. Don't use other types of sand as they will cause health problems for your lizard if ingested. Include plenty of crevices and caves and a food and water bowl. Provide a container of moist moss within the enclosure which will help your gecko shed it's skin. Never keep males together as they will fight.

2. Step 2: Handling

   Don't pick up your gecko by it's tail or handle it roughly as the tail may fall off. Place one hand over the lizard and gently grasp it around the middle between your fingers. Put your other hand under the lizard to support it.

3. Step 3: Diet

   Feed your leopard gecko live insects such as locusts and crickets every other day. The insects themselves should be fed beforehand with a nutrient rich mixture available from pet shops. Dust them with a vitamin and mineral supplement beforehand. Give your lizard just enough to be completely eaten in about 15 minutes, and don't leave uneaten insects in the tank. Ensure they have fresh drinking water every day.

4. Step 4: Exercise and play

   Don't pick up your gecko too regularly as they don't particularly enjoy being handled, and they should never be handled roughly.

5. Step 5: Cleaning

   Clean the water bowl every day and clean out faeces once or twice a week using a sand sifter which sieves the dirty area. Change the substrate and clean the tank with a reptile friendly disinfectant once every few months.

6. Step 6: Health

   Leopard geckos must be kept in the right environment to prevent health problems. They should be energetic and bright-eyed and have a fat reserve around the base of the tail. If the pelvis or ribs are protruding, it may be a sign of poor diet, dehydration or parasites. If your gecko doesn't have access to the correct moisture, it will have problems shedding it's skin. Old skin can get stuck around the feet and tail, and can eventually cause digits to fall off. Take your lizard to the vet if it loses it's appetite, becomes lethargic or you notice anything abnormal.

Enjoy your leopard gecko.

 

   

Tokay Gecko cure for Aids?

The Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) is a nocturnal arboreal gecko, ranging from northeast India and Bangladesh, throughout Southeast Asia, Philippines to Indonesia and western New Guinea. Its native habitat is rainforest trees and cliffs, and it also frequently adapts to rural human habitations, roaming walls and ceilings at night in search of insect prey. Increasing urbanization is reducing its range. In the late 1980s and early 1990s it was introduced into Hawaii, Florida, Texas, Belize, and several Caribbean islands, where it can be considered an invasive species.

The Tokay Gecko is known as a Tuko or Toko in the Philippines, and Tokek in Indonesian/Javanese, for its characteristic vocalizations. People have mixed feelings about it ranging from terror of the mistaken belief that its feet can tear your skin off to great love and admiration for its entertaining vocalizations; in the Philippines, most people respect it and value it because it eats dangerous pests such as scorpions and giant centipedes.

The Tokay is also considered the "pitbull" of the Gecko world due to the fact that when they bite, they often won't let go for a few minutes and rarely up to an hour or more, and generally difficult to remove without causing harm to the Gecko. One way of getting a Tokay to release its hold is to submerge the animal in water or settle it down, which will encourage the lizard to let go, without causing it any harm or undue stress. A less stressful method is to simply put a drop of vinegar on the gecko's nose. This is sometimes enough to get them to let go. For this reason, it is considered to be best as an ornamental animal for experienced reptile owners.

In Malaysia the current local market price for a Tokay gecko above 300 grams is at least RM25,000. What price it fetches abroad is anybody's guess.

A kampung folk who has a marketable sized Tokay gecko for sale will not have to wait long for serious buyers to make him an offer.

In light of its high market value, catching and trading in Tokay geckos have become a lucrative side business especially for villagers in the northern West Malaysian states and in East Malaysia.

Residents in northern towns of Peninsular Malaysia such as Pendang in Kedah and Balik Pulau in Penang have seen the gecko business grow into a cottage industry after news reports revealed that overseas buyers are willing to pay up to RM1 million for each reptile.

As the supply is getting scarce in Malaysia, agents have started to head towards Thailand to source for fresh supplies. Just drive into border towns such as Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah and you can easily sport wildlife trappers and agents advertising the Tokay gecko for sale.

While numerous gecko species are sold as pets at nominal prices, the highly prized specie in demand for its medicinal value is the Tokay gecko.

Tokay geckos are in high demand by the traditional medicine industry abroad as it is believed that the reptile’s tongue can cure AIDS. Some believe that its meat is also an aphrodisiac while its blood and bile suppresses tumors in cancer patients.

Despite the on going rumours of the medicinal cures of the gecko, Augustine Tuuga, the deputy director of Sabah Wildlife Department, was quoted in one news report saying that there is currently no scientific evidence to verify the claims.

As buyers are only interested in Tokay geckos weighing 300 grams and above, those possessing smaller Tokay geckos would rear the reptiles hoping to sell them once their weight exceeds 300 grams. Although Tokay geckos usually feed on insects such as crickets, cockroaches and grasshoppers, the Tokay geckos in captivity are also fed chicken liver to speed up its growth process.

Tokay Gecko Price - The typical current prices for Tokay geckos are as follows:

300 grams : RM 25000
400 grams : RM 80000
500 grams : RM 200000
600 grams : RM 500000
800 grams : RM 800000
Above 1000 grams approximately RM1 million.