…but 10 years to find something is a bit long. The Northern leaf-tailed gecko is so well camouflaged that I haven’t seen a single one in all the time I have been here, then I discover they were under my nose all a long. Last night we went spot-lighting down the road to Lake Eacham with Simon, a photographer who is staying at the cottages. A good torch and young eyes were able to spot about 10 of them and then some more back at our cottages. I was so excited, can’t wait to go out again and see if I can find any on my own.
The Northern leaf-tailed gecko is one of Australia’s largest geckos, at up to 23 cm. Here is photo from last night, this one seems to have a regenerated tail as it is a different texture and colour than the rest of the body – click to see a larger image.
You lucky duck! I’ve never seen one. What’s the trick?
Hi Snail! They really are huge, it’s amazing that they are so hard to see. The trick is to have on a good head torch so you can spot the eye shine coming straight back to your eyes.
I have a whole set of decent head torches, so I will get out there and have a good look. (Although not tonight, because it’s a bit soggy.)
They do seem bloomin’ obvious! It’s a wonder how we’ve missed them for so long.
I look forward to seeing your pictures…oh, by the way look on similar types of trees to the image I posted, they seem to like the smoothish, lichen covered splotchy ones (that’s the technical term).