Care sheet

Leachianus Gecko

Rhacodactylus leachianus

Also known as: Leachie, New Caledonian Giant Gecko

Diplodactylidae · Squamata

IntermediateIUCN VU

Activity: 🌙 Nocturnal
Temperament: Defensive
Adult length: 12–17 in
Adult weight: 250–600 g
Lifespan (captivity): 15–25 yrs
Native range: Southern New Caledonia — Grande Terre and offshore islands (Pine Island, Nuu Ami, Brosse, etc.). Locality types are tracked in the hobby.

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Care guide

Overview

Leachianus Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus) — The largest gecko in the world by mass. Room-temperature husbandry like its smaller rhacodactylid cousins, an MRP-based diet supplemented with insects and the occasional fuzzy mouse, and a tall arboreal enclosure for the adult. Two things set leachies apart from cresties or gargoyles: they are defensive and territorial — adults can deliver a bite that breaks skin and should be handled minimally — and they do not regrow a dropped tail. Locality matters in the hobby: Pine Island and Mt. Koghis animals look distinct, and ethical keepers track and pair by provenance. Cannibalistic toward smaller geckos; house alone except for controlled breeding.

Environment

Climate

Cool side

68–74 °F

Warm side

72–80 °F

Basking spot

78–82 °F

Nighttime

65–72 °F

Humidity (ambient)

60–80%

Shed-cycle boost

70–90%

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation

Arboreal

Bioactive setup

Suitable

Minimum size by life stage

Hatchling12"L x 12"W x 18"H (overly large enclosures stress neonates)
Juvenile18"L x 18"W x 24"H
Adult36"L x 18"W x 36"H minimum; larger preferred for adult giants

Housing

Substrate

Depth

2–4 in

Safe options

coco fiber / topsoil blendbioactive mix with sphagnum and leaf litterpaper towel (quarantine)

Avoid

calcium sandwalnut shellcedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type

Omnivore

Prey size by life stage

Hatchling1/4" crickets, small dubia (occasional treat)
JuvenileMedium crickets, small dubia (1× per week)
AdultLarge crickets, dubia, hornworms; adults will take fuzzy mice (sparingly)

Feeding frequency by life stage

HatchlingMRP (Pangea, Repashy, Black Panther Zoological) nightly; insects 1× per week once feeding well
JuvenileMRP 3–5× per week; live insects 1× per week
AdultMRP 2–3× per week; live insects every 1–2 weeks; an occasional fuzzy or pinky for mature giants

Prey ratio by body weight

Stage

Body weight

Prey (% BW)

Interval

Hatchling
up to 30 g
3–6%
1–2 days
Juvenile
31–100 g
3–5%
2–3 days
Subadult
101–250 g
2–4%
2–3 days
Adult
251 g+
2–3%
2–4 days

Feed prey roughly the listed percentage of the snake's current weight, at the listed interval. Use it as a starting point — adjust based on body condition, not the calendar.

Feeding thresholds

Typical hatchling weight

8–15 g

Power-feeding line

> 8% body weight

30-day weight-loss concern

> 10% in 30 days

Supplementation

Primary diet is a complete powdered gecko meal-replacement (MRP). Adults take larger prey than other rhacodactylids — the occasional fuzzy mouse is well documented but should not replace insects + MRP as the staple. Dust insects with calcium (no D3 if MRP is the primary diet).

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Sturdy bowl plus nightly misting — leachies drink from droplets on leaves and glass. Adults can knock light bowls around, so ceramic or heavy resin is preferred.

Defensive displays

open-mouth threat (impressive in this species — the gape is wide)biting (can deliver a hard bite that breaks skin; respect the warning)vocalizing (loud growls, barks, and 'devil dog' calls)tail drop is rare; tail does NOT fully regeneratecannibalism toward smaller conspecifics — adults will eat hatchlings and juveniles

Legal & ecology

Conservation

IUCN Red List

VU · Vulnerable

Wild populations

Endemic to southern New Caledonia with multiple locality types tracked in the hobby (Pine Island, Nuu Ami, Mt. Koghis, and others). IUCN Vulnerable due to habitat fragmentation. Captive population is well-established; all animals in the pet trade should be captive-bred and provenance-documented.

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market

Active

Complexity

Moderate

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

Leachianus Gecko Care Sheet
Pangea Reptile
breeder community
Breeder reference from a major rhacodactylid producer and the originator of the most widely-used commercial CGD blends.
Published: 2023-01-01
Leachianus Gecko Care Guide
ReptiFiles
breeder community
Keeper reference for Rhacodactylus leachianus with locality notes and adult-housing guidance.
Published: 2023-01-01
Leachianus Gecko Care and Bioactive Setup
The Bio Dude
breeder community
Bioactive-focused husbandry reference for Rhacodactylus leachianus from a major substrate and vivarium supplier.
Published: 2023-01-01