Hello from NZ!

[NZGecko30]

Hi Sean (Xorac) and NZGecko30

Sean, I was extremely interested in your comment, regarding the duvaucelii sighting on GBI. And even more surprised by NZGecko30's reply.

Could I ask the SVL and description of the animal you sighted on GBI? photos?

I would also be interested in the justification/ source of information regarding your comments NZGecko30?

Cheers
NZHerpz

Hi NZHerpz
duvaucelii has always been present on GBI to my knowledge. many books sight this as being part of thier stomping ground and on my visits the locals have told me stories of the massive geckos they see around the place.

Cheers

 

[Xorac]

NZHERPZ and NZGECKOS,
Wow, where were you two when I was in EnZed? I was dying to find some Naultinus.

So the book that I was using when I was in NZ that didn't list GBI as a location for Duvs was probably put out in the late 60's or 70's. I don't know the name of the book, but it was the size of a coffee table book, more than a handheld field guide size. I actually first encountered the book when I was a kid at the library here in the states (it's probably what inspired me to end up in NZ) and it was all I found when I went to the library in Kerikeri. It was obviously a popular book, but not recent.

I was finding tons of a smaller Hop species (don't remember the name), but when I found the Duv it blew my mind. It probably had an snout vent of around 15 cm, maybe a little less. It dwarfed the other geckos I was finding. In appearance, it reminded me as much of a New Caledonia leachie as it did a Hop, and was totally docile, unlike the other Hops I was finding who were a bit more skittish. It was kind of mottled grey and brown, and had a very soft feel. It was a totally charming, laid back gecko - perhpas a bit like Jemaine, now that I think about it I took a ton of pictures of it, but unfortunatlely they were burned up in a car wreck down around the Glacier on the south Island. Lost my passport in the fire too, so now I'm a Yank with a Kiwi issued American passport.

Great chatting with you. I hope if I make it back down there I might inspire you to do some guided photo herping. Of course if you make it up here April - September, we have some amazing collered lizards here in Colorado.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[NZGecko30]

I'm not trying to point the finger out at anyone here at all but i would like people to know that even looking for these animals without a permit is considered illegal by the department of conservation as every species is listed under the Wildlife act and you would be considered to be disturbing them in natural habitat, its also highly likely that doc may think you are poaching. There are some pretty serious laws here when it comes to protecting our wildlife and although they may seem a little silly there is some reason to the madness.
but none the less, this is where tourists or herp fanatics coming into the country and even people from nz are caught out because they don't even know they could get done for such a thing.

Hey Sean, In terms of the exact location of the animals, personally i think this is the sort of information that you should keep to yourself unless you can guarantee that the individuals gaining the information aren't going to go out to such a brilliant place and take these beauties away.

I have to say GBI is my favorite place in new zealand (apart from Otago), its very interesting going there and talking to the locals about the scaley fauna they have around the place, i remember a conversation with several people talking about how they teach thier kids to respect and hold the Duvs around thier homes.

I would actually really like to get out to the US of A one day, i am absolutely dieing to see some snakes!

 

[herperjosh]

Hi folks

Just a quick intro from me, having just found the site. Not sure how active I'll be here, but I had a browse over the NZ gecko threads and thought I might lurk around a bit and poke my nose in now and then.

As the sig says, I'm currently keeping Naultinus grayii (three females, one male, plus the last couple of years of babies - as much as it might cause distress amongst some of y'all to imagine it, I'm kinda over-run with the little tykes and should probably find a home for them!), plus Hoplodactylus granulatus (two females - my male died a couple of years ago and I haven't replaced him, though I probably should). Over the years I've also kept N. e. elegans, N. grayii, N. stellatus, N. rudis (my fave!), H. pacificus, H. chrysosireticus, H. maculatus and H. duvaucelii.

Happy to correspond with anyone interested in the critters, and especially anyone in NZ - since moving from Auckland to Wellington a few years back, I let my NZ Herp Society membership lapse due to a lack of action in Welly, and I'm kind of out of touch with any other geckophiles.

I'm also keen on photography, and having just purchased a macro lens, and with the warmer weather coming around again, the geckos have been getting some camera time - see my Flickr link below and head to the Wildlife set.

hey im from nz to! how a duvicell geckos i am interested in them do they eat a ton? becuase if they do i dont think ill be able to keep them full

 

[phelsumatic]

Dam from the look's of some of those photo's I should have found me a New Zealand girl:biggrin:
Cool pic's funny as hell to.