The New Caledonian Giant Gecko Project

Last year my eldest son received his dream pet - a New Caledonian Giant Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus). The example I purchased was a 2.5 year old adult male and this year he wanted to pair them up. Cue another search for a decent female, which meant newly hatched examples were out of the question. It is only possible to accurately sex this species when they are between six - twelve months old. Even then you often require the help of a magnification device, in order to accurately view the presence or absence of pre-anal pores. These normally appear as black dots sitting in rows. The pores become more noticeable as the animal grows larger. Our adult male sports large, waxy, onyx examples that require no magnification. Couple this with a distinct hemipenal bulge and there is no doubt. 

Females sometimes show pseudo pores, but often there is nothing at all. An example displaying no black markers removes uncertainty. Through persistent hunting and negotiating I was able to secure a sixteen month old sub-adult female (see pic above) at an excellent price. Definite females are scarce and command a premium, nonetheless private breeders occasionally have animals available.

The most frustrating part of purchasing a new Leachie is the time it takes them to acclimatise. New Caledonian Giant Geckos do not like being moved from their existing quarters and will normally hide away for days or weeks on end. Our female was no exception and it took the best part of three weeks before both our stress levels reduced and she ate a decent meal! The key is providing them with plenty of places to hide and cosy enclosures. In my experience this species does much better in smaller wooden vivariums that keep humidity high and reduce 360 degree visibility. People assume the world's largest extant gecko species must reside within large enclosures, but this is not the case. 

Additionally the tank should not be too cool. Many people are of the opinion that it is ok to keep these animals at room temperature with no additional heating. That might work in hot countries but for the UK I simply do not agree. New Caledonia is warm and humid, it is not normal for these animals to spend most of the year at 17 - 19 degrees. They don't need to bask, being nocturnal, but are reptiles and require warmth to fire their metabolism. My experience suggests that an additional 5 watt heat source increases the temperature to safe levels that improve activity and digestion. You don't want it much higher than 27 degrees centigrade (although a maximum of 29 -30 is safe for short periods, assuming the air is humid and plenty of water available). Average temperatures in our enclosures are between 24 - 27 degrees. At the height of summer their night lights are turned off completely. 

We constructed the tanks with our long term project in mind. NCGGs don't always pair successfully and it is not unusual for rejection to occur. 

Last summer our male liked calling into the night, hopeful that a female would reply. No such luck! It will be interesting to see how Flossy, as we have named her, responds in the face of his clucking. She is not mature enough to breed, nowhere near, so I am guessing silence may be the preferred option. We shall see. 

On a final note - previously satellite island examples were classified as R.l.henkeli. This distinction no longer exists and ALL examples are recognised as R. leachianus only. That is right, they are the same species. 

There are variations between different locales but these are equivalent to people with brown hair and blonde hair - still the same species! 

You will find examples marketed as Morro Island, Island E, Isle of Pines, Grand Terre etc... but there is absolutely no way you can be sure that these designations are correct. Most of the time people simply pass on what they were told at the time of sale. Some breeders were involved with collection of the original examples but even then can anyone be 100% certain that one of the grand parents or great grand parents were not from a different locale? It is simply a matter of trust. It is true that some locales are distinctive enough to suggest their original location, but what is to say that a cross wouldn't happen to show more of one ancestor's characteristics than another. This is basic genetics and it happens all the time. 

It is true that the Grand Terre animals generally have relatively longer tails and are an overall larger size, but that in itself hardly proves the origins. 

Many other species e.g. Green Tree pythons are in the same situation - examples being touted as originating from a variety of locales. Most sensible people now accept this as nonsense and a GTP is simply a GTP. 

The point I am making is that unless you visit the island and collect examples yourself, then it is highly unlikely you can ever be sure of the purity. Especially now that science recognises all NCGGs as a single species! Don't fall for ignorance or marketing ploys and pay a premium. 

Edit 30/03/16 - Success!! We now have four eggs in the incubator. The first clutch was laid 28/01/16 and the second around six weeks later. The female was starting to look thin, so we separated them again. Both continued to feed without issues as both sides are now considered common territory.  

The Vine Snake

The kids and I took a trip to the local exotic animal store this weekend and were thrilled to find a vine snake on display. I have never encountered one in the flesh and apparently this example sold within a day of arrival. Good luck to the new owner - they are going to need it! This species is a notoriously difficult captive and normally refuses to eat anything but lizards. That is quite a problem in the UK where both native species are protected and it is illegal to sell live animals as food items. 

The vine snake is venomous and rear fanged. In other words delivery of its toxic payload comes via a less efficient chewing action. They have peculiar horizontal pupils, a feature shared only with twig snakes. 

The children were captivated by its stunning colour and design, which facilitates excellent camouflage amongst the greenery.

This species takes me back to my childhood where my brother and I would watch a National Geographic video on Reptiles and Amphibians. There was a scene where a vine snake stalked a flying lizard in the tree tops. At the crucial moment our intrepid victim flings itself from a branch and, spreading its 'wings' manages to glide towards safety. This video was dated even then and now looks like footage unearthed alongside cretaceous fossils! It was quite amusing reading reviews from Amazon, where seemingly the original VHS is still available. It was re-released in 1997 and one chap vented his fury at the original release date (1968) not being clear. 

Antiquated it was, but still one of the many essential cogs on our pathway to a lifelong fascination with the natural world. I love the way chance encounters evoke distant memories and remind me of the same childhood fascination that I now see blossoming in my own children. 

The Shortest Day

Another year has started and we have rolled past the shortest day. Little by little the northern hemisphere edges towards warmer and brighter times. I have come to appreciate that period of expectation more than balmy summers themselves. 

The slight changes in the ambient temperature, the steadily building sound of different bird species as they arrive back from their foreign excursions. It is only a matter of weeks before the snowdrops react to the subtle alteration in climate and erupt in ashen glory. They are nature's signal that spring has buttoned its jacket and is almost ready to leave the house -  steadily trudging back in our direction.

Snowdrops (genus Galanthus) can produce beautiful white carpets across forest floors and gardens. The effect is as magical as bluebells in full bloom and many people visit areas of high density for exactly that reason. There are even snowdrop festivals scattered around Great Britain and especially Scotland. 

At the moment all our pets are on their winter cycles - the Cunningham's skinks are from southern Australia and experience a typically temperate winter with low temperatures. The ambient day temperature in their vivarium varies between 16 - 18 degrees C with a drop down to 15 - 16 degrees C at night. 

The Storr's monitors are from northern Australia - here the temperature is warmer and it is more the shorter days and night time drops that synchronise the species with winter. They still have a basking spot of 35 - 40 degrees C and ambient temps no lower than 24 degrees in the day time, but at night they are down to 15 - 17 degrees C. 

The New Caledonian Giant Gecko lives pretty much at room temperature year round but we use a back up 15 watt night light in winter to protect against an unusual frosty drop. Certainly this species is far more active in cooler temps than the others and will happily move around in 18 degrees centigrade with no basking spot available. Evolution is an amazing thing. 

The children and I check their health on a regular basis and they are very much looking forward to the skinks becoming readily available again. The colder temps mean that they are largely inactive at all times and it is better to leave well alone. We will start warming the tank again at the end of January - steadily the amount of daylight will be increased all the way back up to 14 hours (from the existing 9) and a basking light will again be available. 

The monitors and gecko are still available for handling, which satisfies their interest :). We are planning on building summer pens in our little garden this year, which will allow our animals to experience wind, rain and sunshine in all their glory. I have yet to finalise the design but it is likely the enclosures will sit above the flower beds and across the wall. 

Other than that we are out and about as usual. Clear winter days are made for the park and we took pictures of a beautiful pair of cygnets last week. 

Then mum and dad made an appearance to check their offspring were safe. 

The Shortest day has been and gone - that is nice - but the darkest, coldest half of the year is not without beauty. The adult swans match snowdrops in pallid hue, but it is their sub-adult offspring that remind us of the vanishing winter. Adventures await. 

The False Widow in England

False Widow - a name that immediately conjures images of the extremely venomous black widow. In truth the false widow is a separate genus that bears a superficial resemblance. The name can apply to over 100 species of spider but Steatoda nobilis is the one rapidly spreading across the UK. 

We recently spotted one on a wall and it prompted me to conduct some more research. As anyone reading this blog will know, I am all about encouraging my kids to interact with nature and that includes spiders. I published an article some time ago about a large house spider we captured and photographed. My children spent time watching him as he ran around the bath tub and had no problem handling the leggy arachnid. I am helping them to grow without fear or prejudice of the natural world, but clearly I don't want them clasping venomous creatures that can inflict serious bites!

Should I be worried about the UK false widow? Let's consider the facts - 1) No one has ever died of a spider bite in the UK and that includes people bitten by Steatoda nobilis 2) The spiders are typically non-aggressive and don't spend their time hanging about on walls while they wait for an unsuspecting passer by 3) The worst reactions to false widow bites have been attributed to allergic reactions. This isn't any different to the exaggerated response some people experience when stung by a bee or wasp, and it is worth mentioning false widow venom allergy still has not killed anyone. 

Steatoda nobilis is an alien species and likely arrived here on produce sent over from the Canary Islands. Global warming is attributed to its spread, but this is still a species that prefers cosy climates and none have been found further north than East Anglia. 

Looking at some pictures of post bite reactions (I won't include any on this light hearted blog) we see that reactions vary considerably. For most people it is nothing more than a red bump, others experience greater swelling and a minority suffer local damage to tissue. Recent media cases include a footballer who suffered an allergic reaction and needed the wound cleaned and trimmed and a school boy bitten while he slept. The latter is extremely rare and you really are not very likely to find a false widow or indeed a common house spider checking out the underside of a duvet.

In summary - are false widow bites dangerous? In my opinion no. Are the bites painful? Yes they can be and sometimes a tingling sensation or tight chest will develop. Clearly that could be frightening, even though it will not result in death. Will I let my kids handle them? No! In the same way I wouldn't let them pick up a wasp, they will not be permitted or encouraged to interact closely with this species. The bite would be painful and potentially trigger a more serious allergic reaction, though this would be rare. The boys are fascinated by all manner of natural wonders but whilst they can appreciate the beauty of an Eyelash Palm Viper, so too they understand that such creatures demand respect and must be observed from a distance.

The false widow has its place in the world. It is following instincts and just wants to survive and reproduce. Without spiders like the false widow we would be overrun with insect pests. They are doing their bit to maintain the status quo and understand nothing of the fear humans feel for them. If your child gets bitten then take them to A&E but don't ever let a nip from one of mother nature's wonders reduce their desire to be outside in the garden or woods and at one with animals and plants. 

The Enchanted Forest at Groombridge

An evocative name, I am sure you will agree, the Enchanted Forest is found in Groombridge, Kent (The Garden of England). It is a wonderful outdoor experience, which includes huge swings, wooden assault courses, boat trips, animals and miles of woodland. 

We visited once before with our friends from the Norwegian Church in Rotherhithe. The experience was so positive that we decided to go again. It is a great opportunity for children to run, hide, climb and generally enjoy the great outdoors. There are birds of prey, pigs, goats, cattle and peacocks to satisfy animal lovers and provide distraction for younger children. 

Inhabitants of the forest include The Groms, a mythical race who retire to the woodland depths whenever people are around. This leaves their village conveniently vacated and available for children to play in. Ideas like this are at the heart of any child's imagination - the concept of magical unknown races watching their adventures and maybe, just maybe making an appearance and introducing their human friends to a hitherto unknown world. 

This reminds me of the M.Night Shyamalan film The Village. The story focuses on a small community surrounded by woodland and operating under a truce with unseen creatures, which supposedly inhabit the forest. You witness the fear and curiosity of the children as they go about their daily lives, often pausing to stare with wonder at the trees swaying in the wind. When I first heard of this movie I remember mentioning it to my brother and we were both very keen to see it. I even recall the website created as part of the advertising campaign - the front screen pictured an isolated village with animated birds flying quietly away into the distance. It stirred the imagination.

My eldest son has recently been talking a lot more about undiscovered species that he is certain must inhabit the deepest oceans and highest tree tops - just waiting to be discovered and catalogued by an intrepid zoologist. Wondering at the world in this way is something adults should try hard not to lose. The reality is that new species are being discovered all the time, even large animals like pink iguanas and dolphins!

The dinosaurs & dragon walkway, the blue pool and huge mysterious oak doors are just some of the things you will find inside the forest, and I can pretty much guarantee happy, excited children. 

As we progressed through the woodland depths we found a small lake filled with carp. The fish were literally clambering over each other, and almost onto the shore, as they patrolled the shallows looking for tasty treats cast into the murky waters. It was an unusual sight. 

A great day out and thoroughly recommended. 

Giant Moths, Mantids and Meeting an Old Friend

Summer holiday! Another year has passed and it was time to venture back to our coastal oasis in the South of France. The kids were a year older and a year stronger at swimming, which made a great deal of difference when we ventured out to explore another world beneath the waves. 

The boys were both awe struck by the welter of bizarre marine wildlife. Every day we ventured into the sea with snorkel masks in place and became one with nature. There were fishes of every size and colour, hermit crabs in the thousands, sea slugs, urchins and octopodes. We swam back out to the reef where I happened across Otto - our crafty octopus from last year - and unbelievably he was still inside! I am certain it was the same animal for a few reasons - firstly it was the same size (a big adult and  uncommon that close to the shore), secondly the octopus is a solitary animal and they are very territorial. They don't live long, 3 -5 years at most, but it is entirely possible he was only a year or two old last year. Finally the den itself is well concealed and a prime location. Last year he returned the next day after we caught him and the same thing happened this time. 

It is wonderful to think that Otto had been happily catching crabs and going about his business for twelve months, while we continued our urban existence back in England. There was a flicker of recognition in his eyes, I am sure of it ;-).

I found another Octopus under a huge rock in the sea. My youngest son developed a passion for collecting ocean rocks and building them into walls, which were then incorporated into sandcastles. For a joke I decided to flip a huge boulder and suggest we could drag it to shore. A large octopus shot into view - completely stone coloured and perfectly camouflaged. With some solid team work we managed to net him. Said mollusc was christened Inky (don't worry about the picture below, we soon had him back in the bucket). After some observation myself and the boys swam him out to the deeper kelp beds and watched in awe as he drifted back into camouflaged obscurity. 

Our exploration yielded a few new gems including the weever fish and scorpion fish. Both these species are venomous and it was bucket observation only for the boys. The scorpion fishes were extremely broad and chunky, spending most of their time sitting on the sea bed and skulking around rocks. 

Back at the villa I was sitting on the patio one day when a huge moth crash landed. It had a badly bent wing and I assume it was sitting in the rafters when a gecko decided to take a pop at it. There is no way this lepidopteran beast would fit inside the stomach of a moorish gecko, but that won't stop the game little fellows from trying. Another alternative is that a bird took a bite but failed to secure the massive insect before it fell to earth. Either way it was a surprise. 

Another morning my youngest son stepped outside and spotted a large green insect sitting on the wall. Our first wild praying mantis :). An amazing animal - so well designed for hunting and a beautiful colour. 

You can go on holiday and lounge by the pool all day or get into Davy Jones' locker and experience some oceanic wonders. A different country also harbours all manner of aerial and terrestrial species - many not found in cooler northern climes. 

Some are not so unfamiliar and one evening we happened across a hedgehog doing its rounds. Such beautiful creatures and we watched her for a while as she ambled around the hedgerows and bushes looking for slugs and bugs. 

All in all an amazing time. 

The Robin's Nest

We have spent time in recent years trying to design and cultivate our garden so it attracts a wide variety of wildlife. It is small but very private and well stocked with mature plants. The rear is framed with huge trees and there is always plenty of birdsong and squirrel activity. Bees happily buzz around in the warm sunshine, butterflies flit from flower to flower and if we are lucky we get a decent crop of tomatoes and cucumbers - always assuming the snails don't get to them first. 

Nonetheless we could not seem to attract nesting birds in spring time, or possibly they were very stealthy and remained undetected, but this year was different. Having trained the ivy to reach across to the opposing wall (and create additional cover above a wooden platform), we finally secured a family of robins. That quintessential feature of every Christmas card in the land was good enough to grace us with four bonny babies. Yesterday evening, just before the boys went to sleep, we were all watching the parents flying back and forth to their blossoming brood. It is tiring work and the parents toil flat out to maximise their chirping children's chances of survival. 

I will try to take a few more pictures to show development over the coming days. I have to be very quick - darting in to take a snap and being very careful not to disturb them (no flashes used). We won't have much time before they fledge, but it is lovely to know the little garden is doing its bit to support the local wildlife. 

Robins will often lay a couple of clutches in one season and sometimes more. This could very well be the first lot and so, with some luck, the same pair will utilise this nest again before the end of July. 

Courtship can begin as early as January, but the breeding season normally commences in March. Robins don't like typical bird boxes with round entrances, but they will utilise open fronted varieties. Only the female is involved with nest construction but the male does supply a huge amount of her food during this intensive period. A lot hinges on his ability to supply quality nutrition - it is the difference between a small, weak clutch and a large strong one. 

Incubation takes about 2 weeks and it is another 2 weeks until the young fledge. That is right - it only takes about one month for eggs to hatch and the little birdies to fly away. 

British Robins stay in the country year round but, interestingly, Nordic examples fly to the Mediterranean because it is just too cold to find food. We are buying a new bird table this year and will do our best to feed the local bird population during the next British winter. 

Edit (13/05/13): Our little birds flew the nest a couple of days after taking the  first pics, so no chance of additional images. Hopefully they will use the same nest again before the end of this season.