Cyrtopodion kotschyi

Aegean nude finger ( Mediodactylus kotschyi )

The Aegean nude finger ( Mediodactylus kotschyi ) is a gecko in the genus Mediodactylus. Synonyms are Cyrtodactylus kotschyi and Cyrtopodion kotschyi.

Appearance

The total length of the Aegean nude finger is 9-13 centimeters. The tail is in this case approximately 1.4 times the head-body length. Within a short time, the little gecko change his skin color by physiological color change. The basic color switches between black, gray, yellowish, reddish and brown tones. About the ridge extends a pattern of dark cross bands, which appears sometimes more and sometimes less clear. On tiptoe he bears claws, no suckers. Nevertheless, he is sent to climb in a position to vertical rock ( as rocks or building ). The big eyes wearing a vertical slit pupil expands in the dark to an oval. The tail can be dropped in case of danger and grows then tapered according to ( autotomy, in other reptiles spread ).

Distribution and habitat

In Europe the kind of Albania (along the coastal region ), Greece and northern Bulgaria to Turkey occurs. The majority of the Aegean islands is inhabited. An isolated occurrence exists in southern Italy. Further, the distribution moves through large parts of Asia Minor to Syria. Whether its in the Ukraine on the southern edge of the Black Sea coast nude spread fingers are actually assigned to this type, needs further investigation.

Reproduction

Two eggs are released several times a year.

Nutrition

The food consists of insects, arachnids and other invertebrates.

Swell

• Benny Trapp: Amphibians and Reptiles of the Greek mainland. Nature and animal -Verlag, Münster 2007, ISBN 3-86659-022-9, pp. 116-119.