Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) Can You See Me?

            Island Of Madagascar
Off The East Coast Of Africa
Palmarium Reserve

Well camouflaged gecko. 

Wikipedia-
Uroplatus phantasticus, the satanic leaf-tailed gecko, is a species of gecko indigenous to the island of Madagascar.  U. phantasticus is the smallest in body of the Uroplatus geckos. It may also be known as the eyelash leaf-tailed gecko or the fantastic leaf-tailed gecko.

The species is endemic to Madagascar, meaning it is found nowhere else. It is an arboreal species that relies on its natural camouflage in the northern and central tropical forests of Madagascar. Its adult size is 2.6 to 6 inches (66 to 152 mm) in total length, including the tail.

A nocturnal reptile, with suitably large eyes, the leaf-tailed gecko moves about its rainforest habitat at night feeding on insects. The adhesive scales under their fingers and toes and their strong curved claws enable them to move adeptly through the trees. The leaf-tailed gecko is somewhat of an expert at avoiding predators, not only through their incredible mimicry, but through a number of behaviours. They can flatten their body against the substrate to reduce the body’s shadow, open their jaws wide to show a frightening, bright red mouth, and voluntarily shed their tail in order to trick a predator. 

Like many reptiles, the leaf-tailed gecko is oviparous, or egg-laying. Reproduction starts at the beginning of the rainy season when it lays clutches of two spherical eggs onto the ground under leaf litter, or in the dead leaves of plants. 

Habitat destruction, deforestation, and collection for the pet trade all threaten the existence of this animal. Studies suggest that leaf-tailed geckos can only inhabit a very specific environment and are not tolerant of any degradation of its natural habitat. This makes the satanic leaf-tailed gecko very vulnerable to the impacts of habitat degradation and harvesting.

Taken on: November 26, 2017

Tags:

Madagascar 2017

Island Of Madagascar

Palmarium Reserve

Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko

Well Camouflaged

Uroplatus phantasticus

Endemic

Very Small

aka Fantastic Leaf-tailed Gecko

Large Eyes

Reptile

Nocturnal

Northern and Central Rainforests

2 to 6 Inches Long With Tail

Eats Insects

Incredible Mimicry

Can Flatten Body

Can Shed Tail

Egg Laying

Lay Two Spherical Eggs

Habitat Loss

Deforestation

Habitat Degradation

IUCN Least Concern

Sue Roehl

Photographic Tours

Natural Exposures

Panasonic

Lumix DMC GH4

35 x 100 mm Lens

Hand held

Tree

Wood

Outdoors

Carnivore

coth5 « less

Sets appears in: • Madagascar 2017

Groups appears in: • Madagascar • Nature Photography more » • Beauty of Nature • Animal Planet • The Nature Conservancy • Wild About Wildlife • Damn! I Wish I'd Taken That!!! (Invite Only) Post 1-Award2 . • Fantastic Wildlife • NatureLovers • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ANIMALS • National Geographic Wild Life • **Platinum Heart Awards** (Only with 8+Heart Awards Invitation!) • **Heart Awards** (P.1 Award 5) Open - Sweeper present • Colors Of The Heart! *Invited Images Only*! • Best Of DAMN! I Wish I'd Taken That • Nature's Carousel - Closed! • The Galaxy & Stars 1 (P1/C5 - No Spiders, No Snakes) • Lumix Micro Four Thirds At Its Best • Level 1, The Wonders of Nature / Post 1 Award 4 • BAT'S LAIR ( P 1 X A 3 ) SWEEPER IN OPERATION • Worldwide Fauna • Photography Vision « less

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