Seychelles Bronze Gecko: where and when to see them

The Seychelles bronze gecko is an endemic tree-dwelling reptile of the granitic Seychelles. Its muted bronze, grey or brown colouring is less conspicuous than that of the islands’ bright green day geckos. Broad adhesive toes help it move over trunks and other steep surfaces. It belongs to a small radiation of Seychelles geckos whose members differ markedly in size, and its survival depends on retaining suitable vegetation and shelter within its limited island range.

Size

About 15-20 cm total length

Weight

Not reliably established

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Bronze geckos forage on vegetation and use bark crevices, leaf bases and other protected spaces as shelter. They can be active by day as well as around dusk and after dark, so detection depends partly on weather and the availability of cover. Individuals often remain motionless against a trunk before moving abruptly away. Like other geckos, they use their tongues to clean their eyes, which are protected by a transparent covering rather than movable eyelids. Bronze geckos exhibit a 'sit-and-wait' predatory strategy, remaining still until suitable prey passes within striking distance. They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, but their diurnal activity can increase in cooler, overcast conditions or in heavily shaded environments.

• It occurs naturally only in Seychelles.
• Its genus also includes a dwarf species and a giant species.
• Adhesive toe structures allow it to climb steep plant surfaces.
• Its eyes are cleaned with its tongue rather than by blinking.

Observation is possible throughout the year where suitable wooded habitat is accessible. April to May and October to November often provide relatively calm travel conditions in Seychelles. These are practical visiting windows, not a defined breeding season or a promise of greater gecko abundance. While observation is possible year-round, the slightly cooler and drier periods outside the main rainy season might offer marginally better conditions for spotting them as they may be more active. Their activity patterns are also influenced by lunar cycles, with more sightings possible during darker nights.

This gecko occupies wooded habitats on granitic islands, including palm-rich forest, secondary vegetation and some gardens or plantations. Tree trunks, broad leaves and sheltered crevices provide feeding and resting surfaces. It is not a characteristic reptile of exposed sandy beaches. This species shows a preference for larger trees, particularly palms and takamaka, where they can find ample hiding spots and foraging opportunities. While not typically found on exposed beaches, they are sometimes encountered in the vegetation fringes immediately adjacent to the shoreline on suitable islands.

Small arthropods form an important part of its diet, including insects encountered on trunks and foliage. It also takes sugary plant foods such as nectar. This flexible feeding pattern allows it to exploit both animal prey and seasonally available floral resources. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming a variety of small invertebrates like crickets, moths, and spiders, which they actively hunt on tree surfaces and leaves. The consumption of nectar and other sugary plant secretions provides essential energy, especially when insect prey is scarce.

Common name

Seychelles Bronze Gecko

Scientific name

Ailuronyx seychellensis

Animal group

Reptiles

Size

About 15-20 cm total length

Weight

Not reliably established

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Muted bronze-brown colouring distinguishes it from Seychelles day geckos, while its intermediate size helps separate it from the smaller and giant species of Ailuronyx. A key identification feature is their overall stout body shape and a relatively short, thick tail, distinguishing them from the more slender species. The lack of prominent dorsal markings and their generally uniform bronze or coppery-brown coloration also aids in differentiating them from other gecko species in the Seychelles.