In 1900, archaeologists investigated a site on Papua New Guinea containing ancient pottery. In 1917, another site, located on New Caledonia, Lapita, revealed a similar style of pottery. It was also found in Tonga, almost 5,000 kilometers away. The initial human migration into the Pacific region was rapid and widespread.
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Rhacodactylus leachianus - The New Caledonia giant gecko, with a length of 36 centimeters, is the largest gecko in the world. The robust body and stumpy tail are odd features for an animal leading an arboreal life; it does have sharp claws for grip and a grasping pad on the underside of the tail. The gecko spends the day sheltering in tree holes or crevasses and emerges at night to forage in the canopy for insects, spiders, frogs, and small birds. Females produce two eggs per cycle and are able to securely “glue” them to the tree.
