Chahoua Gecko

Overview

The chahoua, or mossy prehensile-tailed gecko, is named for its moss- or lichen-like camouflage ². Colors range from rusty red and brown to green or gray ². Its prehensile tail grips branches for balance while it climbs ². Adults are about 5.7 inches snout to vent and about 10 inches in total length ¹. Lifespan in human care is 20 to 30 years ¹².

Chahouas are timid but can be handled briefly ¹. They do well at normal room temperatures but cannot tolerate heat above 85°F ¹⁴.

Natural history

The species is endemic to New Caledonia, a French territory east of Australia ²³. The BGSU Herpetarium lists it on Grande Terre and the Isle of Pines ¹. It lives in moist rainforest, gallery forest and closed forest up to about 500 m elevation ¹². Some evidence suggests that lighter gray patterns are more common on the outer islands ². In the wild, chahouas are opportunistic omnivores that feed on insects and soft fruits ². The main threat is continuing loss and degradation of forest habitat, especially near settlements and farmed river valleys ².

Enclosure

• Size. At least a 20-gallon high aquarium, with a screen lid for air circulation ¹. Taller-than-wide enclosures are preferred, and screen chameleon cages also work ¹.
• Climbing. Provide plants and thin branches for climbing ¹. Avoid plants with sharp, protruding twigs ¹.
• Cover. Use plenty of foliage, bark and vines to hide in ⁴. Cork bark resists rot in humid enclosures ⁴.
• Water. Provide a shallow water dish ¹⁴.
• Social setup. Never house more than one male in an enclosure ¹.

Temperature & lighting

• Temperature. Chahouas thrive at 70–85°F and prefer 72–78°F. Never let the enclosure go above 85°F ¹. Chicago Exotics adds never letting New Caledonian geckos fall below 65°F, because they can sicken and die ⁴.
• Heat. If you add heat, a light over one end of the tank works, but monitor it closely so the enclosure doesn't overheat ¹. Never place the tank in direct sun ¹.
• UVB. Sources differ. BGSU says no special lighting is required, though UVB benefits plants and may benefit the gecko ¹. Chicago Exotics recommends low-level UVB for all New Caledonian geckos, mimicking sunlight filtering through the canopy ⁴.

Humidity

Chicago Exotics describes New Caledonia's climate as a fairly constant 60–70% relative humidity ⁴. Mist the enclosure walls and décor once a day. These geckos rarely drink from a dish and mostly lap water droplets ⁴.

Substrate

Paper towel works, but a naturalistic soil–peat mix or unmilled sphagnum moss is often preferred. Keep it moist but not wet ¹.

Diet & supplementation

• Commercial diet. A commercial fruit-based gecko diet is the preferred staple ¹.
• Insects. Offer crickets, mealworms or flies at least occasionally, dusted with calcium and vitamin D3 ¹.
• Schedule. Feed small amounts daily or every other day, adjusting to what the gecko eats ¹.
• Calcium balance. A positive calcium-to-phosphorus ratio prevents metabolic bone disease ⁴.

Handling & temperament

Chahouas are timid. They can be handled for brief periods with hand-to-hand "walking" ¹, but they like to jump ¹. They rarely drop their tails, but a lost tail does not grow back ¹, so never grab the tail. Wash your hands after handling, because reptiles can carry Salmonella ⁶.

Health

Common issues

• Heat stress. Temperatures above 85°F can kill New Caledonian geckos ¹⁴.
• Metabolic bone disease from a poor calcium balance ⁴.
• Stuck shed. If shed or eye caps won't come off after soaks, call your vet ⁵.

When to see a vet

Call your vet for any of these ⁵:

• appetite loss lasting more than a week
• weight loss
• lethargy
• stuck shed
• discharge
• breathing noises or bubbles

Breeding overview

Chahouas mature at 14 to 18 months ¹. Males have hemipenal bulges and enlarged cloacal spurs, and preanal pores can be seen from about 3 inches snout–vent ¹. Breeding groups of one male with three or four females are possible ¹. Females lay clutches of 2 eggs ¹². They don't bury them, and they have been known to guard them ¹². Keep females apart from males if you don't want fertile eggs ¹.

Legal & ethics

Habitat loss is the main threat to wild chahouas ². A chahoua can live 20 to 30 years, so plan for a long-term commitment ¹².

Sources

1. New Caledonian Mossy Prehensile-tailed Gecko · BGSU Herpetarium, Bowling Green State University
2. Mossy Prehensile-tailed Gecko · Brandywine Zoo
3. Mniarogekko chahoua · The Reptile Database
4. Geckos of New Caledonia · Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital
5. When Should My Reptile See a Veterinarian? · Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center
6. Salmonella, Feeder Rodents, and Pet Reptiles and Amphibians · U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Last reviewed 2026-10-24 by Novel Fauna. This guide is general husbandry information, not veterinary advice. When an animal is sick, see a veterinarian experienced with exotic animals.

Revision history

1. 2026-10-24 Library complete: 20 more cited guides (70 total), Invertebrates group, care targets migration 0020, source title fixes 5cf06a2

Evidence grades: Novel Fauna editorial: source classification, not yet expert-reviewed, 2026-10-25. What the grades mean.

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