BOIVIN’S GIANT GECKO
BOIVIN’S GIANT GECKO//MADAGASCAR VELVET GECKO
Type – Chordates (Chordata)
Class – Reptiles (Reptilia)
Order – Squamata (Squamata)
Family – Geckos (Gekkonidae)
Genus – Blaesodactylus
Species – Blaesodactylus boivini
Boivin’s Giant Gecko is endemic to Madagascar, mainly found in the northern and northwestern parts of the island. It inhabits humid tropical forests and forest edges. The species is nocturnal, hiding during the day in tree bark crevices, under rocks, or in hollow logs. Lifespan in the wild, it lives about 10–12 years, and in captivity, it can live up to 15 years under proper care. Adults weigh between 25–35 g, with males usually slightly larger than females. The total body length (including the tail) reaches 13–15 cm.
Boivin’s geckos are mainly solitary. They are active at night and hide during the day. Females lay two eggs in protected places such as bark crevices or dense vegetation. The incubation period lasts about 60 days. Juveniles are independent shortly after hatching. They are omnivorous, feeding mainly on insects such as crickets, beetles, cockroaches, and moths. Occasionally, they consume fruit, nectar, or small invertebrates.
The genus Blaesodactylus belongs to an ancient group of Malagasy geckos, which diverged from the main gecko lineage about 40–50 million years ago.
In Madagascar, geckos are often regarded as protective household spirits bringing good luck. Blaesodactylus boivini was named after the French botanist Louis Hyacinthe Boivin, who studied the island’s flora and fauna in the 19th century.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Boivin’s Giant Gecko is listed as “Least Concern”, though some local populations are declining due to deforestation and habitat loss.
5 Interesting facts
- Boivin’s gecko has adhesive toe pads that allow it to climb vertical surfaces and even glass.
- Its tail can regenerate after being lost, though the new one differs in texture and color.
- Boivin’s gecko has night vision up to 350 times better than that of humans, allowing it to hunt effectively in the dark.
- When threatened, it produces squeaking or hissing sounds to scare off predators.
- The species plays an important ecological role in controlling insect populations in Madagascar’s tropical forests.
