The Chahoua is a stout, prehensile-tailed arboreal gecko from New Caledonia, prized for its mossy camouflage coloration and calm temperament. It is a hardy, long-lived species that has become a staple of the New Caledonian gecko hobby.
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9-11 in (23-28 cm) total length; robust, heavy-bodied
Lifespan
15–20 years
Social needs
solo
Native region
New Caledonia (Grande Terre and Isle of Pines), South Pacific
Origin
Old World
Climate
⛅ Subtropical
Family
Diplodactylidae
Genus
Mniarogekko
Part of the Geckos
Geckos range from desert ground-dwellers to humid cave and forest specialists; eyelid geckos like Goniurosaurus and leopard geckos have movable eyelids and are largely terrestrial.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Adult arboreal terrarium
18 × 18 × 24 in (≈ 30 gal)
Chahoua are robust arboreal New Caledonian geckos. A single adult needs an 18×18×24 vertical terrarium with cork bark, dense foliage, and ambient room-temp climate (22–26 °C). No supplemental heat usually required.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Tall planted vivarium
24 × 18 × 36 in, planted
Taller planted enclosure with multiple climbing branches at varied diameters, hides at multiple heights, and live plants. Low UVB (3–5%) supports natural cycles. Mist nightly to 70–80% then dry to 50%.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Large bioactive arboreal
36 × 24 × 48 in, bioactive
Large bioactive enclosure with vertical structure, broad-leaf plants, and natural lighting cycle. Chahoua are slow, deliberate climbers and use every inch of vertical real estate.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Egg / Neonate
Most reptiles lay leathery- or hard-shelled eggs incubated by ambient warmth, though some snakes and lizards give live birth. Incubation temperature can influence sex and development in many species.
Photo coming soon
Hatchling
Hatchlings emerge as fully formed miniatures of the adult, often using an egg tooth to slit the shell. They are independent from birth but small and vulnerable, and may show brighter or different juvenile patterning.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
Juveniles grow steadily, shedding their skin periodically as they enlarge. Coloration and proportions shift toward the adult form, and growth rate depends heavily on temperature, diet, and basking/UVB access.
Adult
Adults reach the species' full length and mass and become sexually mature. Many reptiles show sex differences in size, coloration, or features (such as larger heads, hemipenal bulges, or femoral pores), and continue to shed throughout life.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Natural
representative
Grande Terre (mainland) type
Mainland New Caledonia population; typically somewhat smaller with mossy gray-brown to reddish coloration and strong lichen-like camouflage.
representative
Pine Isle (Isle of Pines) type
Larger-bodied island population, often with bolder white-edged patterning and more vivid coloration; commands premium interest among keepers.
Habitat & enclosure
Arboreal; house a single adult in a vertically oriented enclosure of at least 18x18x24 in (45x45x60 cm), larger for big adults. Provide dense cork bark, branches, and live or artificial foliage for climbing and security. Maintain a daytime gradient of 72-80°F (22-27°C) with a slight drop at night; avoid temperatures above the mid-80s°F (~29°C), which they tolerate poorly. Keep humidity around 50-70%, rising after evening mistings and drying between cycles to prevent stagnation.
Substrate
A moisture-retaining bioactive mix of coco fiber, orchid bark, and sphagnum moss works well and supports live plants and cleanup isopods/springtails. Paper towel is acceptable for quarantine or close monitoring. Keep substrate damp but never waterlogged.
Equipment & setup
No high heat needed; ambient room temps often suffice, with a low-wattage heat source only if the room is cool. Low-level UVB (e.g., 5-6% / T5) is beneficial though not strictly required if diet is well supplemented. A misting system or hand sprayer, hygrometer/thermometer, and sturdy climbing decor complete the setup.
Diet
Omnivorous. The bulk of the diet can be a complete powdered crested-gecko-style meal-replacement diet (e.g., Pangea, Repashy) offered every 2-3 days. Supplement with appropriately sized, gut-loaded, calcium-dusted insects (crickets, dubia roaches, black soldier fly larvae) and occasional fruit purees. Provide calcium with D3 and a multivitamin on a rotating schedule.
Behavior & temperament
Generally docile, slow-moving, and tolerant of gentle handling once settled, though individuals vary. They have a strong, well-muscled prehensile tail that they hold onto more reliably than crested geckos do. If the tail is lost it can regrow, but the regenerated tail is typically stubby and loses its prehensile function, so tail loss should be avoided. They can deliver a surprisingly hard bite if provoked, and are mostly nocturnal/crepuscular. Keep singly; males are territorial and will fight, and pairs should only be cohabited by experienced breeders.
Health
Hardy when kept cool and clean. Common issues include metabolic bone disease from poor supplementation, retained shed on toes, and stress from overheating. Tail loss is a notable concern because, although the tail can regenerate, the replacement is stubby and no longer prehensile. Quarantine new animals and provide a routine fecal check for parasites.
Tips, DIY & hacks
There are two recognized population types: Grande Terre (mainland) and the larger, often more vividly patterned Pine Isle (Isle of Pines) animals; keep lineages documented. Mist in the evening and let the enclosure dry by morning. Handle low and over a soft surface to prevent fall-related tail loss.
