Naultinus is a
genus of
geckos. It is one of two
genera of
geckos that are
endemic to
New Zealand, the other genus being
Hoplodactylus. On account of their striking colouration,
species in the genus
Naultinus are commonly known as
green geckos. There are eight described species in the genus, while another species from the
North Island is awaiting formal scientific description. Species in the genus share a number of traits that set them apart as quite different from the rest of the world's two thousand odd gecko species, which are generally brown in colour,
ovivaparous, short-lived and
nocturnal. In contrast,
Naultinus are green (with the exceptions of males in two South Island species which exhibit
sexual dimorphism in colouration),
ovovivaparous, live up to 30 years or more and are strictly
diurnal. New Zealand has a temperate, maritime climate, and in terms of distribution
Naultinus is one of the southern-most gecko genera in the world — some species live in habitats in the
South Island which receive regular snowfall in winter. Animals in this genus possess several physiological and behavioural adaptations to cope with these periods of low temperatures and adverse weather.
