Naultinus

Naultinus is a genus of geckos that is endemic to New Zealand. On account of their striking colouration, they are commonly known as Green Geckos. There are currently eight described species in the genus, while another species from the North Island is presently awaiting formal scientific description. Species in the genus share a number of traits that set them apart as quite different from the rest of the world's two thousand odd gecko species, which are generally brown in colour, ovivaparous, short-lived and nocturnal. In contrast, Naultinus are green (with the exceptions of males in two South Island species which exhibit sexual dimorphism in colouration), vivaparous, live up to 30 years or more and are strictly diurnal. New Zealand has a temperate, maritime climate, and in terms of distribution they are one of the southern-most gecko genera in the world—some species live in habitats in the South Island which receive regular snowfall in winter. Animals in this genus possess several physiological and behavioural adaptations to cope with these periods of low temperatures and adverse weather.