That NZ Gekko is an incredible feat of evolution. Not only in its ability to adapt to survive a lifespan in such an anti-reptile environment, but alter so dramatically its reproduction. You have to wonder if being in the 20% of reptiles that can give birth to live young, came before or after it moved into this terrain. Was it a natural advantage to out compete others or did the environment force the switch to viviparous birth. Then to have a lifespan roughly 10 times that of their relatives, seems another strange adaptation.
That NZ Gekko is an incredible feat of evolution. Not only in its ability to adapt to survive a lifespan in such an anti-reptile environment, but alter so dramatically its reproduction. You have to wonder if being in the 20% of reptiles that can give birth to live young, came before or after it moved into this terrain. Was it a natural advantage to out compete others or did the environment force the switch to viviparous birth. Then to have a lifespan roughly 10 times that of their relatives, seems another strange adaptation.