Gold-striped gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gold-striped gecko |
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| Conservation status | |
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Woodworthia
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| Species: |
chrysosiretica
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The gold-striped gecko is a special lizard found only in New Zealand. It is also known as the gold-stripe gecko or golden sticky-toed gecko. Its scientific name is Woodworthia chrysosiretica. This gecko belongs to a family of lizards called Diplodactylidae.
You can only find this unique gecko in the Taranaki region and on Mana Island. When an animal or plant is found only in one specific place, it is called endemic. The first example of this gecko that scientists studied is kept at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
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Meet the Gold-Striped Gecko
Gold-striped geckos are usually brown or yellow. They have cool stripes running down their backs. These geckos can grow to be about 14 cm (5.51 inches) long. This measurement includes their body and tail.
They are mostly nocturnal, which means they are active at night. During the day, they hide and rest. At night, they come out to hunt for food. Their diet mainly consists of small insects and other tiny creatures without backbones.
Where They Live
These geckos are quite adaptable. They can live in different places. You might find them in forests and bushy areas. They also live on farmland and even in towns. This shows they can survive in many environments.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Unlike many other lizards, gold-striped geckos do not lay eggs. Instead, they give birth to live young. This is a special way of reproducing. The baby geckos develop inside the mother. They are born ready to explore the world.
Discovery and History
This interesting gecko was first described by a scientist named J. Robb. This happened in the year 1980. When it was first discovered, it was given the name Hoplodactylus chrysosireticus. Later, its name was changed to Woodworthia chrysosiretica.
Gecko on a Stamp
The gold-striped gecko even appeared on a postage stamp! From July 1984 to July 1985, it was featured on a New Zealand 70 cent stamp. This stamp was part of a series about endangered animals. It helped to raise awareness about these special creatures.
Conservation Status
The gold-striped gecko is currently listed as 'Near Threatened' by the IUCN Red List. The IUCN Red List is a global list that shows how much danger different species are in. 'Near Threatened' means they are close to becoming threatened.
In New Zealand, the Taranaki Regional Council also lists this species as 'At Risk'. This means that efforts are being made to protect them. Protecting their homes and making sure they have safe places to live is important.
