Lord Howe Island Southern Gecko

Christinus guentheri is a small, nocturnal gecko characterised by soft, granular skin, large eyes with vertical pupils, and adhesive toe pads that allow it to climb rock faces and tree bark with ease. Like other geckos in the family Gekkonidae, it forages at night for invertebrates, making it a contributor to insect population control within its ecosystem, while also serving as prey for birds and other predators. By day it shelters under rocks, in leaf litter, or within crevices, emerging after dark to hunt.

The species is found on Norfolk Island and its surrounding islets, part of Australian territory, as well as historically on Lord Howe Island. It occupies forested habitats and rocky terrain, often favouring coastal and cliffside environments where suitable shelter and prey are abundant.

Its decline is driven by a combination of pressures. Livestock farming and ranching have degraded native vegetation and ground cover essential for shelter. Invasive species, including rats and other introduced predators, pose a direct threat through predation and competition.

Fire and fire suppression practices alter habitat structure, while logging and wood harvesting reduce forest cover and microhabitat availability. Shipping activity has historically facilitated the introduction of invasive species to island ecosystems where the gecko lives.

Conservation efforts include habitat protection measures on Norfolk Island, invasive predator control programs, and monitoring of remaining populations. Restrictions on land clearing and forestry in key habitat areas have also been implemented in parts of its range.

The population continues to decline, and the species remains classified as Vulnerable. Its restricted island distribution and ongoing exposure to invasive species and habitat pressures suggest continued vulnerability without sustained management intervention.