Book Review by Rod Rowlands
Naultinus, by Hermann Seufer and Nicolas Defabiani
ISBN 9783-
© 2023 Chimaira Buchhandelsgesellschaft mbH
Heddernheimer Landstrasse 20
60439 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
While the publication of papers on New Zealand’s native geckos has become more frequent over the past decade, new books on the subject have been a rarity, especially with information on captive breeding, so gecko keepers here are understandably keen to avail themselves of any new information that comes forward. The fact that this book is the result of two keepers in Europe who have achieved great breeding results of Naultinus species in their home countries (Germany and Switzerland), by careful study of the climatic requirements, makes this book all the more special, and I would go as far as to say that keepers in New Zealand should make an effort to obtain a copy of this book, for the valuable new perspectives that can be learned from it. For example, there have always been difficulties in attaining successful breeding of South Island gecko species in the North Island, and the methods used to enable breeding of Naultinus elegans and N. grayii in the northern hemisphere may well be able to be adapted for use here. New Zealand keepers have had captive breeding success with a number of species using outdoor caging in the geckos' country of origin, and have generally been somewhat sceptical of attempts to deviate from the methods that have always been used locally. The authors have had to adapt husbandry practices to encompass the climatic differences between New Zealand and Europe, and have made significant achievements in this regard.
It's great to read that successful breeding of Naultinus geckos has been achieved over many years in Europe. This book will no doubt help to ensure that the number of successful keepers of Naultinus species in Europe will increase, along with an expanding field of knowledge. For example, the authors postulate that sex determination in our livebearing species may be dependent on temperature, and it may be possible, by controlling the temperature during the early part of gestation, to regulate whether the offspring are male or female.
Many of the brilliant photos in the book have been provided by people well-
Those wishing to purchase a copy of this important book can do so at:
https://www.chimaira.de/herpetology/naultinus-
If ordering, please be aware there are English and German versions available.