Leaf Tailed Geckos

LEAF TAIL GECKOS
(Uroplatus species)
Origin: mainland Madagascar and surrounding islands.
Family: Gekkonidae

The leaf-tailed gecko family has nine members ranging in size from 30cm to 8cm. This cryptic gecko has excellent camouflage skills making it “blend” in to its natural environment of the rain forests of Madagascar. Larger members of the genus have beards and fringes around the whole body. When at rest laying head down on a mossy or lichen covered branch are almost impossible to see, the beard and fringes are flattened to the branch creating a perfect match and avoiding any shadow being cast. Small members have tails mimicking leaves, bodies resemble dead leaves and twigs. Overall this species is a master at disguise. Large eyes help this nocturnal species hunt its prey, large mouths are capable of tackling over sized prey. The common leaf-tailed gecko has more teeth than any other lizard on earth. After a night’s hunting an individual will often return to the same resting place, reports of lichen covered branches with bare patches where the geckos rest are reported. Color change is possible and most dramatic at night, some specimens can be stunning in colors of lichen and mosses from pinks to oranges, on the other hand some can be dull patterns of browns.

This species is totally adapted to life in a primary rain forest, so cryptic are their disguises species and sub-species are still being discovered today. The locals are afraid of them and refer to them as the devil. When disturbed larger members of the species especially Uroplatus fimbriatus stand up open mouthed and let out a large hiss, to an observer I can imagine a branch “coming to life” and hissing at you would be disturbing.

In captivity a tropical rain forest set-up is required heavily planted with lots of climbing branches. I would highly recommend live plants & mosses planted in a peat substrate, as high humidity is required. As with all highly humid vivariums air circulation is essential to avoid stagnant air. This species does not like it hot and will dehydrate quickly if kept so. A temperature range of 75-80°F is ideal remember this species will not move during the day unless disturbed, so it will hopefully settle in a thermally comfortable place itself. Water requirements are critical especially when dealing with newly acquired specimens. Re-hydration is critical and should be done as a priority, once settled they usually adapt well to drinking from a dish at night, regular sprays are essential. To stimulate drinking gentle airflow in the water dish works well. Food can consist of all suitably sized commercially produced live foods, and hedge sweeping, remember to only collect from areas you are sure pesticides have not been used. Nectar may be licked.
On a final note after you have carefully made your “rain forest”, marveled at your achievements and settled your gecko in, it will probably rest all day on the glass doors! A happy, hydrated leaf-tailed gecko of the following species should be resting head down with a completely flat tail: U. fimbriatus, U. henkeli, U. sikorae.

The species:

Common leaf-tailed geckos Uroplatus fimbriatus This species is as its name suggests the most common species on Madagascar, and the largest. Occurring along almost the length of the east side, in primary rain forest. Attaining a total length of almost 30cm this is one of the biggest geckos in the world. It can be distinguished from other large species by its amber eyes with vertically striped pattern. Usually two eggs are laid in leaf litter and take 90 days+.

Henkles leaf-tailed geckos Uroplatus henkeli This is one of the most variable colored species. Specimens can range from almost completely white to stunning oranges and pinks, with all the mossy colors in between. Attaining a total length of 25cm it is slightly smaller than the common leaf-tail and differences can be seen in the eyes. This species usually has pink eyes with little or no markings. Usually two but up to four eggs are laid on the forest floor where they take 90 days+ to hatch. This species is found in the north west of the island.

Mossy leaf-tailed geckos Uroplatus sikorae This species is one of my favorite, smaller than the before mentioned species reaching a total length of 18.5cm. Resembling a lichen or mossy branch some species have “twig” like pimples and bumps. Occurring on the on the east coast and northern tip on off shore islands. A sub-species is recognized on the island of Nosy boraha U. s. sameiti, difference in the sub-species can be determined by the inner coloration of the mouth U. sikorae has a black mouth whereas U. s. sameiti has a flesh colored inner mouth. Again usually two eggs are laid and hatch after 90 days+.

Lined leaf-tailed gecko Uroplatus lineatus This species occurs in the north east in bamboo forest. As its name suggests it has several longitudinal brown lines on the body and head, on a yellow background. Reaching a length of 25cm its quite a large gecko, the inner mouth is black in color, its tail is slim compared to the above species and is used in display, waving it slowly. In captivity bamboo canes work well.

Satanic leaf-tailed geckos (American name) Uroplatus phantasticus This is a stunning species reaching a total length of 9cm, its range is the central eastern side of the island. This species mimics to great success a dead leaf, its whole body resembles a curled up leaf, its tail leaf shaped. This is a truly amazing gecko. Coloration can be brown/grey to amazing yellows, green, oranges, and pinks. Called the Satanic leaf-tailed geckos as this species looks like it has “horns”, and some specimens have red eyes. Two eggs are laid and hatch after 60-70 days.

Nosey be leaf-tailed gecko Uroplatus ebenaui Found at the north western tip of the island, and surrounding islands. This species is similar to U. phantasticus but slightly larger in body, with a very small tail. Again this species mimics dead leafs well and can be very hard to spot even in captivity. Two eggs are laid and take 60-70 days to hatch.

The following species are very rarely imported, if ever and are locally rare in Madagascar.
Uroplatus alluaudi Only known from the type locality.
Uroplatus malahelo discovered in 1994 and only known from two specimens.
Uroplatus guentheri West coast.

Overall this is a wonderful gecko to keep and hopefully breed, not that common in collections, its unusual appearance gives it a certain appeal.