About Mediodactylus kotschyi (Steindachner, 1870)
Kotschy's gecko, scientifically named Mediodactylus kotschyi (Steindachner, 1870), is a slender lizard that reaches a total length of around 10 centimeters (4 inches) including its tail. Females grow slightly larger than males. Both the limbs and tail are slim, and small tubercles are present on the back and tail. Its digits lack adhesive pads, but the toes are relatively long and have a kink at their midpoint. The species' overall coloration is quite variable; its background color can be yellowish-grey, greyish-brown, dark brown, or reddish-black. The dorsal surface is patterned with W-shaped darker transverse bands. Like other geckos, the pattern of markings stays consistent, but the overall shade of the gecko can darken in cool conditions and lighten during hot daytime temperatures. The underparts may be yellowish or orange in color. Kotschy's gecko is primarily distributed along the coastal areas of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It is native to Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Apulia in Southern Italy. Its typical habitat includes cliffs, dry stony areas, scrub, tree trunks, stone walls, and both the external and internal walls of buildings. It can be found at elevations up to 1,700 meters (5,577 feet), though it is mostly a lowland species. Female Kotschy's gecko lays two eggs (occasionally just one) under stones or inside crevices. The eggs take between eleven and eighteen weeks to hatch, producing juveniles around 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) long. Offspring reach sexual maturity in approximately two years, and the species has been recorded to live for nine years in captivity.
