Nelson green gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nelson green gecko |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
 Gradual Decline (NZ TCS) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Naultinus
|
| Species: |
stellatus
|
The Nelson green gecko or starry tree gecko (Naultinus stellatus) is a special type of gecko. It belongs to the Gekkonidae family, which is the main group of geckos. A very important example of this gecko, called a neotype, is kept at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Where Does the Nelson Green Gecko Live?
The Nelson green gecko lives only in the Nelson area of New Zealand. You can find it south of the Bryant Range, west of the main mountain range, and stretching to the Murchison district and northern Westland. This means it's a unique animal found only in this part of the world!
How Does the Nelson Green Gecko Reproduce?
Unlike some animals that lay eggs, the Nelson green gecko gives birth to live young. This is called being viviparous. Usually, the mother gecko has two babies at a time. These young geckos are typically born in the autumn or early winter.
Why is the Nelson Green Gecko "At Risk"?
In 2012, the Department of Conservation in New Zealand looked at the Nelson green gecko. They decided to classify it as At Risk under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. This means the gecko's population is likely to decrease.
The main reasons it's considered "At Risk" are:
- Its numbers are slowly going down, or are expected to go down.
- There aren't many of them left, so they are considered sparse.
- Scientists don't have enough information about them, which is why they are also called Data Poor. More research is needed to help protect them better.
