Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Uroplatus
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| Species: |
henkeli
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| Geographic range of Uroplatus henkeli. | |
The Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus henkeli) is a special type of gecko. It is a lizard that belongs to the family Gekkonidae. People also call it the Henkel's flat-tailed gecko or the frilled leaf-tail gecko. These geckos are only found in Madagascar. This means they live nowhere else in the world!
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Where Do These Geckos Live?
The Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko, known as U. henkeli, lives in thick, natural forests. You can find them on the island of Nosy Bé, which is close to Madagascar. They also live on the main island of Madagascar itself, in a forest area called Ankaranafantsika.
How Do Henkel's Geckos Behave?
Henkel's leaf-tailed geckos spend most of their lives in trees. This is called an arboreal lifestyle. They are very good at climbing and blending in with their surroundings. They only come down to the ground when it's time to lay their eggs. They usually lay their eggs in soft soil or hidden among leaf litter.
What Do Henkel's Geckos Look Like?
There are two main types, or "morphs," of U. henkeli. One type comes from Nosy Bé, and the other is from mainland Madagascar. You can sometimes tell them apart by their different color patterns. However, these patterns can sometimes be hard to distinguish. These geckos are quite large for their kind. They can grow to a total length of about 280 mm (11 in), which includes their tail. This makes them one of the biggest species in their genus.
What Do Henkel's Geckos Eat?
Henkel's flat-tailed geckos are mainly insectivorous. This means they love to eat insects! They will also eat snails if they find them. Their diet helps them stay healthy and strong in their forest home.
Why Are They Called That?
The first part of their scientific name, Uroplatus, comes from two Greek words. "Ourá" (οὐρά) means "tail," and "platys" (πλατύς) means "flat." So, Uroplatus means "flat tail." The second part of the name, henkeli, is named after a German herpetologist (a scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians) named Friedrich-Wilhelm Henkel.
What Threats Do They Face?
The Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko is currently listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. This means they are at risk of becoming endangered. The biggest threats to these geckos are Habitat destruction and deforestation in Madagascar. This is when their forest homes are cut down or destroyed. Another major threat is that they are often collected and sold as pets.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has even put all Uroplatus species on their "Top ten most wanted species list." This list highlights animals that are seriously threatened by illegal wildlife trade. These geckos are being captured and sold at very high rates for the international pet trade. Because of this, the Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko is a CITES Appendix 2 protected animal. This means there are rules to control their trade to help protect them.
