Leachianus Gecko
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Lizard |
| Size | Large (8-17 in) |
| Lifespan | 20-30 years |
| Temperature | 72-80°F |
| Humidity | 60-80% |
| Enclosure | 18x18x36 arboreal |
| Care Level | Intermediate |
| Diet | Fruit CGD, insects |
| Temperament | Vocal, Handleable |
Recommended for Leachianus Geckos
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Leachianus Gecko Habitat Essentials
Front-load the budget on fundamentals that determine health: heating, diet, and enclosure. Aesthetic items are strictly optional.
The biggest gecko, often the loudest
Leachianus geckos, Rhacodactylus leachianus, come from New Caledonia. Locality is the size difference: about 8 to 17 inches, and 20 to 30 years. Care is intermediate. Temperament is vocal and, for many lines, handleable. Some localities would rather bite. Ask the breeder about the parents' attitudes before you pay locality prices.
They want a tall cage, at least about 18 by 18 by 36 inches, with cork hollows they can cram into. Temperatures of 72 to 80°F are correct. Baking them like a bearded dragon is a common mistake. Humidity of 60 to 80 percent, good airflow, a commercial crested-gecko diet, and insects make the menu. A water dish and a mist give them something to drink. They are nocturnal enough that the show starts at dusk.
Thirty years is the expensive part
A hatchling is a cheap-looking animal next to the adult it becomes, and the adult may outlast the shelf you bought. Plan the 20 to 30 year span. Handle calmly if the individual allows it. Quit when it growls and gapes. Crested geckos and gargoyles are the smaller relatives. A leachianus will bully or eat a smaller Rhacodactylus. House them alone unless you are an experienced breeder with a plan.
Weight loss in a gecko that still licks diet is a reason to see a vet. ARAV lists clinics that see reptiles.
Leachianus gecko questions
How big is a leachianus gecko?
Locality decides it. Island animals can be around 8 to 10 inches. Grande Terre animals are larger, and some pass 14 inches. Length runs 8 to 17 inches. That is the spread, not one animal.
Do they need high heat?
No. Keep temperatures around 72 to 80°F. A hot reptile room overheats them. Room temperature with a slight gradient is the usual goal.
Why is my leachianus growling?
The species is vocal. Barks and growls are advertising or annoyance. A gecko that growls and gapes wants space, not a cuddle.
Decision Guides for Leachianus Gecko
Use these only when comparing food, insurance, ownership budget, or beginner fit for this specific pet.