Stephen's Island gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stephen's Island gecko |
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| Stephen's Island gecko on Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Toropuku
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| Species: |
stephensi
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| Synonyms | |
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The Stephen's Island gecko (Toropuku stephensi) is a special kind of gecko found only in New Zealand. People also call it the Cook Strait striped gecko or just the striped gecko. It belongs to a group of geckos called Toropuku and is part of the family Diplodactylidae.
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What's in a Name?
Geckos often get their names from where they live or what they look like.
The Name Toropuku
The first part of its scientific name, Toropuku, comes from the Maori language. It means "secret" or "stealthy". This might be because these geckos are good at hiding!
The Name Stephensi
The second part of its name, stephensi, is a nod to Stephens Island in New Zealand. This is one of the places where this gecko lives.
Where Do They Live?
The Stephen's Island gecko likes to live in forests and areas with lots of shrubs. You can find them from the coast all the way up to about 225 meters (738 feet) above sea level. They enjoy these natural places in New Zealand.
Reproduction
The Stephen's Island gecko is a viviparous animal. This means that the mother gecko gives birth to live young. She doesn't lay eggs like many other reptiles do.
Protecting the Stephen's Island Gecko
It's very important to protect the Stephen's Island gecko.
Conservation Status
In 2012, the Department of Conservation (DOC) in New Zealand said the Stephen's Island gecko was "Nationally Vulnerable". This means it's at risk of becoming endangered.
Scientists later found that what they thought was one species was actually two! So, the Stephen's Island gecko is now believed to live on only three islands. Because of this, experts need to check its conservation status again to make sure it gets the right protection.
