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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.

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.

  1. 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

  2. Leachianus Gecko Care Guide

    ReptiFiles

    breeder community

    Keeper reference for Rhacodactylus leachianus with locality notes and adult-housing guidance.

    Published: 2023-01-01

  3. 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