Two geckos living on a predator-free island near Canterbury are thought to be the oldest in the world.
At an estimated age of 60 and 64-year-old, the two geckos were first discovered and marked in 1967 by late herpetologist Tony Whitaker, according to the Department of Conservation.
Whitaker’s detailed record-keeping allowed DOC to accurately date their ages.
The previous age record for a Waitaha gecko was 53-years-old — a gecko found on the same island in 2015.
DOC biodiversity ranger Kaitlyn Leeds said the geckos were found during a five yearly species monitoring visit to Motunau Island.
“We were all blown away to find two of the original marked lizards,” she said. “We found Antoinette (named in honour of Tony Whitaker) first and dated her at 64 years plus and then found the second one called Brucie-Baby (Tony’s nickname for his co-worker and conservation legend, Bruce Thomas) and dated her at 60.”
The dating of geckos on Motunau Island was only possible due to Whitaker’s efforts.
He had marked 133 geckos with unique toe-clip identification when he started lizard monitoring between 1965 and 1967.
Leeds said DOC no longer clipped the lizards, but teh previous programme did give it an opportunity to learn how long individual geckos might live.
“It’s just amazing they’ve existed on this postage stamp of an island since before the moon landing,” said biodiversity ranger Allanah Purdie.
Herpetologist Marieke Lettink, who has been visiting the island for more than 20 years, said the geckos “really buck the trend globally” by living for such a long time.
She said it was a career highlight to find the two.
“They really are remarkable. I didn’t hold out any expectations that we would find two of Tony’s old mates still living. In global terms, these native geckos are just so unique. We know of no other species of gecko living so long – the average around the world for gecko is only a decade.”
Leeds added the geckos looked good for their age.
“They do look a bit skinnier with looser skin but, to be honest, you wouldn’t know they were 60+ years old.
“Interestingly, female geckos, like female humans tend to live longer than males. It’s also got a lot to do with being in a cool climate on a predator free island.
“Maybe it’s also their lifestyle, lapping up the salty air,” she laughed.
“But in all seriousness, it does make you think about the impacts of predation and comparative longevity for our reptiles on mainland New Zealand.”
DOC said waitaha geckos wee classified as an at-risk species and were in decline.
“They are mostly found in lowland Canterbury, usually in rocky places that provide warmth and refuge from predators.”
Meanwhile, Allanah Purdie said she felt privileged to study the geckos, and added they are “such an important part of our native landscape”.
“We have such unique species in New Zealand, and these two are now world record holders. I’m hoping that we find Antoinette and Brucie-Baby when we do our next visit to the island in five years.
“Who knows how long these two will live for?”
