Reptiles
Crested gecko
Correlophus ciliatus
The crested gecko is named for the rows of spiny scales above its eyes and along its back, resembling eyelashes. Once believed extinct, it was rediscovered in 1994 and is today one of the most captive-bred geckos in the world.
In short
The crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) is a species with IUCN conservation status VU (Vulnerable). It lives in the humid forests of New Caledonia, climbing among branches and foliage with adhesive toe pads. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: request the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the crested gecko live?
It lives in the humid forests of New Caledonia, climbing among branches and foliage with adhesive toe pads. It is nocturnal and omnivorous, and lacks movable eyelids: it cleans its eyes with its tongue.
Is the crested gecko endangered?
Rated Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN Red List, with a decreasing population, due to its restricted range. The main threats are habitat loss and predation by introduced species such as the electric ant.
Facts about the crested gecko
- It was thought extinct and only rediscovered in 1994.
- It has no movable eyelids: it cleans its eyes with its tongue.
- If it loses its tail, it usually does not regrow it.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Correlophus ciliatus (Vulnerable) · IUCN SSC / Reptile Database
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.