Koch's giant day gecko (''Phelsuma madagascariensis kochi'' ) is a diurnal

subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

gecko Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards that have a wide distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. Belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, geckos are found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from . Geckos ar ...

, a lizard in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Gekkonidae Gekkonidae (the common geckos) is the largest family of geckos, containing over 950 described species in 64 genera. Members of the Gekkonidae comprise many of the most widespread gecko species, including house geckos (''Hemidactylus''), tokay ge ...

. The subspecies is native to northwestern and western

Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...

and typically inhabits trees. It feeds on insects and nectar.

Etymology

The subspecific name, ''kochi'', is in honor of German

ornithologist Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the "methodological study and consequent knowledge of birds with all that relates to them." Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and th ...

and

herpetologist Herpetology (from Greek ἑρπετόν ''herpetón'', meaning "reptile" or "creeping animal") is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians (gymnophiona)) and rept ...

K.L. Koch of the ''Naturmuseum Senckenberg'' in Frankfurt.

Taxonomy and systematics

Koch's giant day gecko is often treated as its own species, ''Phelsuma kochi'' Mertens, 1954.

Description

''P. m. kochi'' is among the largest living day geckos. It can reach a total length (including tail) of .Glaw F, Vences M (2007). ''A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar.'' Third edition. The body colour is a dark, dull green. A faint red stripe extends from the nostril to the eye. On the back there may be little reddish dots present. The neck and flanks often are light grey. The ventral side is off-white.

Geographic range

''P. m. kochi'' is widely distributed in northwestern and western Madagascar on the coast and in the inland. It was first discovered in the region around

Maevatanana Maevatanana is an urban municipality in Madagascar. The city is in the central-north part of the island, at the Ikopa River, and is connected by the national road RN 4 to Antananarivo and Mahajanga. The altitude is low and as it is located far ...

Habitat

''P. m. kochi'' is often found on different trees such as banana trees where it can be seen basking. It avoids human dwellings. The climate is very dry throughout the year and the temperature can be as high as 40 °C (104 °F).

Diet

Koch's giant day gecko feeds on various insects and other invertebrates. It also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.

Behaviour

This subspecies, ''P. m. kochi'', is not quite as quarrelsome and aggressive as '' P. m. madagascariensis'' and '' P. m. grandis''.

Reproduction

The pairing season for ''P. m. kochi'' is between November and the first weeks of May. During this period, the sexually mature females lay up to 6 pairs of eggs. At a temperature of 28 °C (82 °F), the young will hatch after approximately 63–68 days. The juveniles measure and reach sexual maturity after one year.

Care and maintenance in captivity

''P. m. kochi'' should be housed in pairs although successful group breeding with one male and several females has been reported. They need a large, well planted terrarium. The temperature should be about 28 °C (82 °F) during the day. The humidity should be maintained around 65%. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moths, fruit flies, mealworms, and houseflies.