Rhacodactylus leachianus : Mt. Koghis (GT: Grande Terre)

Mt. Koghis leachianus' are one of the most unique of the GT locales with their massive bodies, short, thick tails, and unique head structure. Two distinct forms exist: The most commonly seen light form and a dark (melanistic )form.

There are two forms said to originate from Mt. Koghis north-west off Noumea. The first form, known among the hobbyists as Troger line, from the name of late German hobbyist Michael Troger, while the second the form is known as the Seipp line, from German Robert Seipp, whom the original animals came from.

WC Melanistic Koghis troger

Traeger line:

Mt. KoghisTroger leachianus is one of the most unique GT locales with its massive bodies, short thick tails and unique head structure. Two distinct forms exist, the most commonly seen light form and a dark (melanistic) form.

The light form hatches tan with distinct black markings and very thin peach blotches down the sides. This form develops into a darkish adult, with a dark olive green to dark brown background. This form also has black dorsolateral markings with crisp white bars running down the length of the sides. Melanistic specimens are born either chocolate brown or black, with thin maroon blotches and the typical light chin and throat, to solid black.

Both forms have enlarged rostral scales that dwarf the adjacent scales lying between the rostral and the labial.

Juveniles and young adults can typically be seen with a dark line that runs from the rostral to the front of the eyes, which commonly fades with age. Adults of this locality maintain the black dorsolateral marking seen in juveniles.

Melanistic Koghis troger

WC Koghis Pair

melanistic koghis troger head structure

melanistic koghis troger

melanistic koghis troger tail structure

melanistic koghis troger

Melanistic Koghis hatchlings

Koghis Troger Pair

Seipp line:

The Seipp line is the most commonly encountered form on Mt. Koghis in the wild. It is a large gecko with a dark brown to yellowish background coloration with white blotches often speckled with black spots. This form has GT's typical long tail and elongated snout.

Seipp Koghis Pair