Bronze-Eyed Gecko

The Bronze-eyed gecko (Ailuronyx seychellensis) is an endemic species to the granitic islands of the Seychelles and is restricted to areas of more natural forest, such as those found on Cousine Island.

It is one of the larger gecko species in the Seychelles, growing up to 20 cm in length (including the tail). This gecko exhibits an extensive range of colouration depending on the habitat they are found in. The gold metallic colour of their eyes gives this species their name.

Around Cousine they can be commonly found on the trunks of trees, fronds of palms and in rock crevices. As with most gecko’s, it is active mainly at night but can also be found during the daytime. Insects, nectar, carrion (decaying flesh), as well as seabird eggs form the main diet for these geckos.

Interestingly, as a defence mechanism, these geckos can shed pieces of their skin to ward off predators. This species has done very well on Cousine as it is one of the few rat-free islands in the Seychelles.