Oceania gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oceania gecko |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gehyra
|
| Species: |
oceanica
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Gehyra oceanica, also known as the Oceania gecko or Pacific dtella, is a type of gecko found in the Gehyra family. There is another gecko, the Gehyra vorax (or voracious gecko), which lives in Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Guinea. While it used to be thought of as the same species, scientists now know it is different.
The Oceania Gecko
The Oceania gecko is a fascinating reptile that lives in many parts of the Pacific. It is known for its ability to adapt to different environments.
Where It Lives
This gecko naturally lives in New Guinea and many islands across Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. People have also moved it to other islands in the Pacific, sometimes quite far away. For example, it has reached the Marquesas Islands in Polynesia. Scientists are still discussing how much humans have helped spread this gecko around.
There seem to be two main groups of these geckos. One group lives in Micronesia (to the north), and another lives in Melanesia and Polynesia (to the south). While there have been sightings in New Zealand and Hawaii, it seems the gecko has not settled down and created lasting populations there.
Daily Life and Diet
The Oceania gecko usually lives in trees (this is called being arboreal). It is also active at night (this is called being nocturnal). During the day, it rests, and at night, it hunts for food.
Its diet mainly includes insects. Sometimes, it even eats smaller geckos! Scientists have also found fruit seeds in their stomachs, showing they might eat fruit too. These geckos can even be found feeding inside human buildings.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Unlike some other geckos in its family, the eggs of the Oceania gecko do not stick to surfaces. Females lay two eggs at a time. These geckos often share special nesting spots where you might find up to twelve eggs in total.
The eggs take a long time to hatch. It can take up to 115 days for a baby gecko to emerge from its egg. These geckos live in many different places, including farms, gardens, and both untouched and disturbed forests.
