On a recent trip to the Far North I found a North Cape green gecko, also known as yellow-lipped gecko. This species has yet to be described and the closest it has to an official name is the tag name Naultinus sp. ‘North Cape green gecko’.
Like our other green geckos, the North Cape green gecko is long lived, diurnal, gives birth to live young, and sadly is declining. The causes of decline are not completely known, and these lizards are so cryptic that monitoring their populations is difficult. However, at least some of the treats include habitat loss, predation by introduced mammalian predators, exotic wasps, and poaching for the illegal pet trade. Poaching disturbs me most, because it is purely about human greed and the people involved have no regard at all for the animals. All our native lizards are legally protected and must not be disturbed or harmed in any way.
North Cape green geckos are only found wild in scrub vegetation near the northern tip of North Island, in the Far North District of Northland. Although you might think their amazingly vivid shades of green would make them quite conspicuous, they can be very well camouflaged. North Cape green geckos are sexually dimorphic, which basically means males and females look different. Females have a pale green underside while males are pale blue (the individual I photographed on this occasion is a male). When either opens its mouth you can clearly see the yellow-orange lips and gums that separate it from similar species and give it one of its common names.
I have added photos of the North Cape green gecko to the lizards section of my gallery, including some stunning macro shots.