Koch's giant day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis kochi MERTENS 1954) is a diurnal subspecies of geckos. It lives in northwest and western Madagascar and typically inhabits trees. The Koch's giant day gecko feeds on insects and nectar. Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Phyla Porifera (sponges) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria Placozoa Bilateria Acoelomorpha Orthonectida Rhombozoa Myxozoa Superphylum Deuterostomia    Chordata (vertebrates, etc. ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Orders  Crocodylia - Crocodilians  Rhynchocephalia - Tuataras  Squamata   Suborder Sauria - Lizards   Suborder Serpentes - Snakes Testudines - Turtles Superorder Dinosauria  Saurischia  Ornithischia The reptiles are a group of vertebrate animals. ... Suborders Amphisbaenia - Worm lizards Sauria- Lizards Serpentes - Snakes Squamata (scaled reptiles) is the largest recent order of reptiles. ... Groups Lepidosauromorpha Archosauromorpha Sauria is a clade of the reptilian family tree, that includes all living diapsids, as well as their common ancestor and all its extinct descendents, which date back to Permian times. ... This article describes gecko lizards. ... Genera Many, see text Genera Genus Afroedura Genus Afrogecko Genus Agamura Genus Ailuronyx Genus Alsophylax Genus Aristelliger Genus Asaccus Genus Blaesodactylus Genus Bogertia Genus Briba Genus Bunopus Genus Calodactylodes Genus Carinatogecko Genus Chondrodactylus Genus Christinus Genus Cnemaspis Genus Coleodactylus Genus Colopus Genus Cosymbotus Genus Crossobamon Genus Cryptactites Genus Cyrtodactylus Genus... Phelsumas are small lizards which are also known as day geckos. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is a standard convention used for naming species. ... 1. ... In taxonomy, a subspecies is the taxon immediately subordinate to a species. ... Genera Many, see text Geckos are small to moderately large lizards belonging to the family Gekkonidae and found in warm climates throughout the world. ...

Description

This lizard belongs to the largest living day geckos. It can reach a total length of about 25 cm. 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 redish dots present. The neck and flanks often are light grey. The ventral side is off-white

Distribution

This species is widely distributed in northwest and west Madagascar on the coast and in the inland. it was first discovered in the region around Maevatanana.

Habitat

Phelsuma magascariensis kochi is often found on different trees such as banana trees where it can be seen basking. They avoid human dwellings. The climate is very dry throughout the year and the temperature can be as high as 40°C

Diet

These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.

Behaviour

This Phelsuma madagascariensis subspecies is not quite as quarrelsome and aggressive as Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis and Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis. Binomial name Phelsuma madagascariensis Trinomial name Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis (Gray 1831)) is a diurnal subspecies of geckos. ... Binomial name Phelsuma madagascariensis Trinomial name Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis Madagascar giant day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis GRAY 1870) is diurnal subspecies of geckos. ...

Reproduction

The pairing season is between November and the first weeks of Mai. During this period, the females lay up to 6 pairs of eggs. At a temperature of 28°C, the young will hatch after approximately 63–68 days. The juveniles measure 65 mm and reach sexual maturity after one year.

Care and maintenance in captivity

These animals 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 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.

References

• Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3800173239
  
• McKeown, Sean (1993) The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.