#toropuku

[herpsandbirds]

Northern Striped Gecko (Toropuku inexpectatus), family Diplodactylidae, endemic to the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

photograph by Noah Morales

[herpsandbirds]

Northern Striped Gecko (Toropuku inexpectatus), family Diplodactylidae, Coromandel, New Zealand

photograph by Carey Knox

[herpsandbirds]

Northern Striped Gecko (Toropuku inexpectatus), family Diplodactylidae, Coromandel, New Zealand

photograph by Samuel Purdie Wildlife

[zoomology]

Looking into the beautiful eye of a rare Coromandel Striped Gecko. Read about it here: https://zoomologyblog.wordpress.com/2017/04/08/a-rare-and-elusive-species-the-coromandel-striped-gecko-toropuku-stephensi/ #newzealand #coromandel #reptile #gecko #toropuku #diplodactylidae #reptilia #squamata #departmentofconservationnz #zoomology #zoomologyblog #iucnredlist #rare #endemic #newzealandreptiles #newzealandbeauty #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #eye #conservation #instaanimal (at Coromandel Peninsula)

[animaltoday]

Coromandel’s Striped Gecko (Toropuku stephensi Coromandel or Hoplodactylus stephensi var. coromandel)-

Though geckos are a common sight in New Zealand, this particular species is the rarest gecko in New Zealand, and possibly in the world. It is so rare, and its range so small, that it was thought to be extinct until 1997. Some thought it to be a variation of the Stephen’s Island Striped Gecko, hence, the alternate scientific name: Hoplodactylus stephensi var. coromandel (var. meaning variation of the Stephen’s Island Striped Gecko).

Since its (re)discovery in 1997, it has taken over a decade to successfully find and breed these geckos. Most recorded information known is from observation of captive individuals. The latter two photos above show the difference between a male and female Coromandel’s striped gecko, the male being the more vivid (left) and the female slightly more muted (right).

Though striped geckos are not uncommon in New Zealand, both the stephensi geckos are unique in that they have a slight “wood grain” pattern running lengthwise along their bodies. It is particularly visible in the light stripes of the male. The coloration of these reptiles seems to vary from a tawny brown to an almost silver white.

Photos: (top) (bottom left) (bottom right)

[reptiglo-blog]

Toropuku stephensi Coromandel by DvanWinkel on Flickr.