Actograph studies were used to demonstrate the daily pattern of activity of Hoplodactylus paclficus, the common New Zealand gecko. An endogenous activity pattern is shown to be synchronised with sunset, with maximum activity occurring in the four hours following sunset. This nocturnal activity is restricted by temperature; activity decreasing with falling temperature to an imperceptible level below 10°C. A peak in breath rate coincides with the onset of the activity period, suggesting an endogenous correlation of breath rate with activity pattern.