Forest gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forest gecko |
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| Conservation status | |
 Gradual Decline (NZ TCS) |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Mokopirirakau
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| Species: |
granulatus
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| Synonyms | |
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The forest gecko (Mokopirirakau granulatus) is a special type of gecko. Its scientific name, granulatus, means "granular" because of its bumpy skin. In the Māori language, it is called moko pirirākau, which means "lizard that clings to trees".
This gecko is endemic to New Zealand. This means it is found only in New Zealand and nowhere else in the world. You can find forest geckos in most parts of New Zealand. However, they are not usually seen in the Far North, Marlborough, or Canterbury areas.
Forest geckos are a protected species under the Wildlife Act 1953. This law helps keep them safe in their natural homes. It is very important not to disturb or remove these geckos from the wild.
Protecting Forest Geckos
In 2012, the Department of Conservation looked at the forest gecko's situation. They decided to classify it as At Risk under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. This means the gecko might be in danger.
Why "At Risk"?
The "At Risk" status means that the number of forest geckos might be going down. This decline could be small or large. Scientists are watching to see if their numbers continue to drop.
What "Data Poor" Means
The Department of Conservation also said the forest gecko is "Data Poor". This means they do not have enough information about the gecko. More research is needed to fully understand how many geckos there are and what threats they face. This extra data will help them make better plans to protect these unique lizards.
