Crested Gecko

lizard · endangered · New Caledonia · comeback

Fancy head spikes. Crested geckos have a ridge of spikes running from their head down their back, making them look extra dramatic and cool. These spikes help them blend in with the trees in their rainforest home.

Eyelash-like lids. They got another name, the eyelash gecko, because they have bumpy scales above their eyes that look like tiny eyelashes. These unique features make them instantly recognizable to gecko lovers everywhere.

Island home. Crested geckos come from southern New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific Ocean. This remote island is one of the few places on Earth where these special geckos live in the wild.

Lost and found. Scientists thought these geckos had gone extinct, but then in 1994, explorers on an expedition rediscovered living ones in the forests. Finding them again 128 years later proved that some species can survive even when we think they're gone.

Protected status. Because they're so rare and live only in one place, crested geckos are now being protected by international law. This helps make sure poachers and traders can't capture them from the wild.