Description
- Common Name: Mossy Gecko
- Scientific Name: Mniarogekko chahoua
- Locality/Morph: Mainland form (mixed lineage)
- Sex: Unknown
- Age: 2025
- Source: Captive bred in UK
- Native Range: New Caledonia (Grande Terre and surrounding islets)
- Natural Habitat: Humid subtropical forests; arboreal, often found in tree hollows and dense vegetation
- Diet: Commercial crested gecko diet, live insects, and occasional fruit purées
- Basking Temperature: Mild gradient up to 28°C
- Ambient Temperature: 22–26°C (night drop to ~20°C)
- Average Adult Size: 25–30 cm (including tail)
The Mossy Gecko (Mniarogekko chahoua), also known as the Chahoua Gecko, is a secretive arboreal species from the humid forests of New Caledonia. Its name comes from the remarkable moss-like patterning and soft, velvety skin that provide superb camouflage against tree bark and lichen-covered branches. This species is one of the largest New Caledonian geckos, prized for its unique appearance and size.
In nature, Mossy Geckos spend most of their time among the canopy and inside hollows, relying on their prehensile tail and strong grip to navigate branches and foliage. They are nocturnal and highly adapted to humid environments, thriving in enclosures that maintain 60–80% humidity with regular misting. Good ventilation, abundant climbing structures, and naturalistic décor encourage these natural behaviours.
Captive husbandry is similar to that of other Rhacodactylus relatives, favouring moderate temperatures (22–26°C) and avoiding excessive heat. They tolerate a gentle basking gradient but prefer shaded, humid areas. A well-balanced diet of quality commercial gecko diet (such as Pangea or Repashy) supplemented with live insects like crickets, roaches, and occasional fruit purées ensures excellent health and coloration.
Mossy Geckos are long-lived, often exceeding 20 years in captivity with consistent care. Though initially shy and reclusive, they can become calm and inquisitive with gentle handling.
Livestock Delivery:
Livestock is delivered in our own heated reptile courier vans. Delivery time from ordering will depend on your location and when we next have a van in your area, this will usually be a maximum of 2 weeks. You will receive a date and time slot by phone or email, so please ensure you enter these correctly at checkout. Delivery fee for livestock depends on location, prices start at £45. Livestock orders over £500 (+VAT) are delivered free of charge.
Livestock Sale Terms:
If multiple animals are in stock then not all will be pictured, so the photo above may not be exact animal available.
All prices are per individual unless otherwise stated. All livestock is subject to availability, whilst we try to keep the website as up to date as possible errors may happen, in this situation you will be contacted to arrange a refund/alternative.
Errors can happen with sexing and morph identification. Should this be discovered before leaving us you are entitled to a refund. After the animal leaves us it is the customers responsibility to inform us within 48 hours of the animals arrival. Failing to do so may lose the customers eligibility for a refund.
It is the customers responsibility to have the correct setup available and ready for the animal, if you need any advice please do get in touch. We have the right to request proof of setup at any time, failure to provide an image of an appropriate setup or any image at all, may result in a full order cancellation and refund.
Guarantee for all inverts & amphibians is 24 hours. All other livestock is 48 hours. If issues/concerns are notified upon delivery, then this may be extended. All health related queries will be subject to a full investigation should an issue arise. Failing to provide us with the information we request may void any form of guarantee. If we find reason from the information that its injury or death was caused by negligence or incorrect husbandry then the guarantee may be void. Should death or abnormalities occur then you must inform us as soon as possible. In the unlikely event that an animal passes away please photograph the dead body and freeze until you have heard from us. If death or illness occurs after 7 days, and no health issues were reported, then Ridgeway will not be held responsible.
We have the right to refuse any sale, refund or guarantee at any time if we feel it is necessary.
Livestock sales are for customers aged 18+, if under this age you must have prior parent permission. If we have any reason to suspect this is not the case we will contact you before the animal is released.
When purchasing an animal from us you automatically agree to these terms of sale.
