Jewelled gecko
| Jewelled gecko | |
|---|---|
| Naultinus gemmeus on a branch, Otago Peninsula by Rod Morris | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Infraorder: | Gekkota |
| Family: | Diplodactylidae |
| Genus: | Naultinus |
| Species: | N. gemmeus |
| Binomial name | |
| Naultinus gemmeus (McCann, 1955) | |
| Distribution of the jewelled gecko on a map of the South Island Known native range | |
| Synonyms | |
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The jewelled gecko (Naultinus gemmeus) is a threatened species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand.
Subgroups or populations of the jewelled gecko living in Otago, Canterbury, and Southland can be distinguished by their colour and marking. Male Canterbury jewelled geckos tend to be grey or brown with yellow, purple and white rows of stripes or diamonds. Otago jewelled gecko populations are often green with yellow and white markings, and Southland jewelled geckos are usually solid green.
The jewelled gecko eats a wide variety of insects and moths. It also eats berries and, more rarely, nectar.
The jewelled gecko and other New Zealand geckos are highly protected and it is illegal to capture or disturb them. The jewelled gecko is often targeted by wildlife smugglers.