Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Woodworthia
Species: W. chrysosireticus
Binomial name: Woodworthia chrysosireticus
Synonym: Hoplodactylus chrysosireticus
Common name: Taranaki Goldstripe Gecko, Goldstripe gecko, Gold-stripe gecko, Golden Sticky-toed Gecko.
Woodworthia chrysosireticus (Goldstripe Gecko) is a very secretive and agile native gecko whose distribution is limited to the West coast of the North Island, mainly in a wide coastal strip and inland habitats from north of Urenui to Patea around the Taranaki province. Most sightings have been within 5 km of the coast, although one specimen was found near Korito, about 13 km inland. Colonies have also been found on Mana and Kapiti Island of Wellington’s west coast. Its usual habitat is coastal flax bushes (Phormium cookianum, Phormium tenax) but they do live in other habitats including forest, scrub, undisturbed piles of timber and dilapidated buildings.
Goldstripe gecko is a distinctive brown-yellow or tan in colour with alternate light and dark stripes on the back, they run the length of the body to the start of the tail. The gecko toes have wide pads that enable it to climb on all surfaces.
They have a maximum snout to vent length of <70 mm. This S.V.L is a standard measurement of a lizard’s body length being the measurement from the tip of the nose (snout) to the anus (vent) and excludes the tail.
Their eyelids are fused shut and the lower lid is transparent so they regularly lick their lids to keep them clear.
Like all lizards, they are cold blooded so to gain heat they bask in the sun. They are mostly nocturnal, feeding on a diversified range of insects, flies and spiders. They can be active during the daytime.
They are viviparous usually giving birth in February-March, Mating takes place in April.
They are vulnerable to mammalian predation. Predators include cats, mice, rats, hedgehogs, weasels, stoats, ferrets, possums. Like all New Zealand geckos, they are fully protected, meaning that they may only be handled, collected or kept in captivity under permit.
The Taranaki Goldstripe Gecko on a New Zealand 1984 postage stamp
Distribution map of Woodworthia chrysosireticus
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
http://www.terrain.net.nz/uploads/images/Te%20Henui/Faunatwo/Map%20Woodworthia%20chrysosireticus.jpg
