Harlequin Gecko
Tukutuku rakiurae
Silhouette: Jose Carlos Arenas-Monroy · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyDiplodactylidae (Australasian Geckos)
- GenusTukutuku
- SpeciesTukutuku rakiurae (Harlequin Gecko)
About the Harlequin Gecko
The harlequin gecko (Tukutuku rakiurae), formerly Hoplodactylus rakiurae, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Stewart Island / Rakiura in the far south of New Zealand, where it was discovered in 1969. In terms of distribution it is one of the southernmost gecko species in the world.
The generic name, Tukutuku, refers to the Māori ornamental lattice work called tukutuku, which the dorsal pattern of this species resembles. The specific name, rakiurae, refers to Rakiura, the Māori name for Stewart Island.
The preferred habitats of T. rakiurae are shrubland and wetlands. T. rakiurae is viviparous. The harlequin gecko has been assessed as Endangered by the IUCN since 2018, owing to its rarity, small range and declining population. Stewart Island is overrun with invasive predators such as cats (Felis domesticus) and rats (Rattus rattus, R. exulans, and R. norvegicus), which have also contributed to declines among native bird species. Like other New Zealand geckos, harlequin geckos breed and develop very slowly, with a female giving birth to only one offspring... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Harlequin Gecko in Rakiura National Park
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rakiura National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Harlequin Gecko in Rakiura National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Harlequin Gecko sighting in Rakiura National Park, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Harlequin Gecko in Rakiura National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Harlequin Gecko in Rakiura National Park in our monthly data.