Common Name
Rough gecko
Scientific Name
Naultinus rudis
Etymology
Both the scientific and common name refer to the knobbly tubercule scales all over the body. Fischer's (1882) description is detailed and accurate, although the poor condition of the type specimen places limits on its usefulness (Bauer 1986). Thomas (1982) suggested synonymizing N. manukanus with N. rudis and described variation throughout the range of the two taxa.
Description
This medium to large gecko (up to 72 mm SVL, total length 175 mm, Jewell 2008) is highly distinctive with a enlargened head scales, particularly on the snout and canthal areas, and also a large number of smaller raised scales, some pointed, some domed; scattered over body. Colouration is highly variable from dark green with dark-edged white splotches. Sexually dichromatic with females green, males grey with brown and white splotches. Ventral surface light grey or brown with pale longitudinal streaks or stripes. Ventral scales uniform. Mouth lining dark blue, tongue greenish-yellow. Eye dark olive-green. Toes narrow and tapering without expanded pads. Tail slender; prehensile, seldom shed. The pattern of enlarged body scales is unique to this species (Jewell 2008).
Photo and information from Landcare Research’s NZ Lizards Database.
SVL = Snout-to-Vent Length. A convention in describing the length of lizards is to measure from the tip of the snout to the vent, the opening through which the animal defecates. The vent is at the base of the tail, and thus the tail is not included in the length.
Logging Etiquette. To log a cache as per Geocaching.com’s Geocaching 101, under the LEARN tab, means that the logbook has to be signed. See step 7 of ‘How is the game is played?’ and Rule 2 of ‘What are the rules of geocaching?’. This does not mean leaving little scraps of paper, calling cards or stickers, etc, as a means of signing and these will be removed if found in the cache. If you have not signed the logbook your log will be deleted without any further warning.
The cache is a 400ml Sistema./p