Geckos have broad heads with large bulging eyes, definite necks, and soft, velvety-looking skin which is covered in very small, granular scales.
Images courtesy of Windy Hill Sanctuary
There are at least 39 species of gecko in New Zealand. However, only 18 of these have been formally described, and further discoveries of new species are still very likely as we learn more about them.
These species belong to two genera:
Hoplodactylus
11 formally described species and an estimated 20 species still to be described.
Colour: Mostly grey or brown, with mottled, striped or banded patterns. However, the harlequin gecko, H. rakiurae, is often very brightly coloured.
Habits: Mainly nocturnal (active at night) or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), although some species, such as the harlequin gecko, are also active during the day.
Naultinus
7 formally described species and 1 yet to be described).
Colour: Usually bright green, but sometimes bright yellow. However, the adult males of some South Island species are grey or brown.
Habits: Diurnal (active during the day).
Read More at the Department of Conservation
Source: Department of Conservation and licensed by greatbarrierisland.nz for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/