The Gateway Gecko is the one that sparked your complete immersion into the world of reptiles. For many, the Gateway Gecko is the Crested Gecko, Rhacodactylus ciliatus. It was for me, my wife, and many of my fellow reptile enthusiasts.
Perhaps it is their vibrant colours and comical yet captivating appearance, their soft and pliable crests, their sticky toes and tails, or their quiet, unassuming nature that draws us into their world. No matter the reason, should you find your gateway into the world of reptiles locked, the Crested Gecko holds the key.
RHAC-ADDICT-YLUS?
Want to display your love of Rhacs to all of Canada? Well now you can! Visit our Rhac-Addict-ylus page for Rhac memorabilia!
The New Caledonian Crested Gecko, Guichenot's Giant Gecko or Eyelash Gecko, Rhacodactylus ciliatus, is a species of gecko endemic to southern New Caledonia. Research suggests there are three separate populations, one found on the Isle of Pines and surrounding islets, and two populations found on the main island of Grande Terre. The species was long-believed extinct until a single specimen was rediscovered in 1994 on Isle de Pins following a tropical storm.
The species was first described in 1866 as "Correlophus ciliatus" by the French zoologist Alphone Guichenot in an article entitled, "Notice sur un nouveau genre de sauriens de la famille des geckotiens du Muséum de Paris" ("Notes on a new species of lizard in the gecko family") in the Mémoires de la Société Scientifique Naturelle de Chérbourg. It has since been renamed Rhacodactylus ciliatus.
The generic name Rhacodactylus is Greek in origin: Rhakos, meaning "spine" and Dactylus meaning "finger". The specific name, ciliatus, is Latin: Cilia means "fringe" or "eyelash" and refers to the crest of skin over the animal's eyes that resembles an eyelash.
Crested Geckos are now protected from export in their natural habitat and are currently being assessed for CITES protection and endangered status due in large part to the introduction of Wassmania auropunctata, the little fire ant, in New Caledonia. Not only do the ants directly compete with the geckos for food by preying on arthropods and insects, but they also prey upon the geckos, their young and their eggs.
Though the export of wild New Caledonian Crested Geckos is now prohibited, biologists exported several specimens for breeding and study in 1997 (200 to America by Phillipe de Vosjoli and Frank Fast and 200 to Europe by Friedrich-Wilhelm Henkle and Wolfgang Schmidt) before the practice was outlawed. From these specimens, different breeding lines were established, all which relate to the original 400 geckos originally imported.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
Visit our Noteworthy News page often for updates on our acquisitions, breeding projects, and any upcoming events or promos!
REPASHY SUPERFOODS
Got Diet? We've now been approved as an Authorized Dealer of the popular line of Repashy Superfoods!
ABOUT US
Curious about our history and how we came to be? Visit our About Us page to find out about that and so much more!
IMPORTANT LINKS
We know how difficult it is to find reliable information, especially online. Hours of research has gone into the compilation of this list...
OUR DESIRABLES
Want geckos but don't have the funds? We're up for trades on any of our availables if you've got what we want. Take a peek!
GECKOHOLIC?
Can't find that one species you're looking for? For all things gecko, visit our good friend & fellow geckoholic, Renee, at Just Geckos!
REPTILEADDICTION.ORG
Join us today at the newest forum dedicated to reptiles, ReptileAddiction.org! It's where "reptile breeders & hobbyists connect"!
TM
After a string of unexpected moves and unstable living conditions, coupled with a number of personal struggles, we were faced with the difficult decision to part with our sizable collection of Rhacodactylus and hence, shutdown The Gateway Gecko. We felt that our time was not sufficient enough to properly care for such a large number of animals, so we left their care in the hands of a trusted friend. Now that our lives have stabalized and our time is plentiful enough, our friend has graciously allowed us to reobtain a number of our previous breeders to help rebuild the collection we have missed so greatly.
With the addition of Uromastyx Canada, we intend to continue our impact on the Canadian reptile industry with a greater drive and dedication than ever before. We look forward to opening up your lives and hearts to some of the highest quality, most beautiful animals available in our wonderful nation.
And as always, we cannot hope to achieve our goals and realize our aspirations without your dedication and support. Thank you for sharing this relaunch with us.
