Satanic leaf-tailed gecko facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Satanic leaf-tailed gecko
Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Uroplatus
Species:	phantasticus

The Uroplatus phantasticus, also known as the satanic leaf-tailed gecko or phantastic leaf-tailed gecko, is a special type of gecko. It lives only on the island of Madagascar. This amazing creature was first described in 1888 by a scientist named George Albert Boulenger. It is the smallest of the Uroplatus geckos.

What's in a Name?

The name Uroplatus comes from two old Greek words. "Ourá" means "tail" and "platys" means "flat". So, Uroplatus means "flat tail". The second part of its name, phantasticus, is a Latin word meaning "imaginary" or "mythical". This name was chosen because the gecko looks so unique and unusual.

Where Does This Gecko Live?

This gecko is endemic to Madagascar. This means you can only find it there! It lives in the trees of the northern and central tropical forests. The gecko uses its amazing camouflage to hide among the leaves and branches.

How Does This Gecko Look?

Adult leaf-tailed geckos can grow up to 90 millimeters (about 3.5 inches) long, including their tail. Like all Uroplatus geckos, their tail is flat. But the Uroplatus phantasticus has a tail that looks just like a dead leaf. Some of these geckos even have small cuts or notches in their tails. This makes them look even more like a decaying leaf. Scientists think this might be more common in male geckos.

This gecko also has special eyelash-like bumps above each eye. These features help the gecko blend in perfectly with its surroundings during the day. At night, they help the gecko hide while it hunts for food. Geckos do not have eyelids. Instead, they have a clear covering over their eyes. They use their long tongues to keep their eyes clean from dust.

The satanic leaf-tailed gecko comes in many colors. You might see them in shades of purple, orange, tan, or yellow. Most often, they are mottled brown. They also have small black dots on their belly, which helps tell them apart from other similar geckos.

Behavior and Life Cycle

The leaf-tailed gecko is a nocturnal reptile. This means it is active at night. It has large eyes that help it see in the dark. It moves through the rainforest, eating insects. These geckos have special sticky scales under their fingers and toes. They also have strong, curved claws. These help them climb and move easily through the trees.

These geckos are very good at avoiding predators. Their incredible camouflage is one way. They can also flatten their bodies against a surface to reduce their shadow. If a predator gets too close, they might open their jaws wide to show a bright red mouth. They can also drop their tail if needed to trick a predator. The tail will grow back later.

Like many reptiles, the leaf-tailed gecko is egg-laying. This means they lay eggs. Reproduction starts when the rainy season begins. The female gecko lays two round eggs on the ground. She hides them under leaf litter or in dead leaves.

Keeping Them as Pets

The Uroplatus phantasticus is often kept as a pet. People sometimes keep them in pairs or small groups. Male geckos usually get along well when they have enough space. People who keep these geckos often call them "Phants".

These geckos eat different kinds of appropriately sized insects. This includes crickets and moths. If they breed successfully in captivity, the female will lay eggs about every 30 days. The eggs usually hatch in 90 to 120 days. A few zoos in the United States have these geckos, and some even breed them.

Protecting This Gecko

The satanic leaf-tailed gecko faces several threats. Its home is being destroyed by deforestation. Also, people collect them for the pet trade. Studies show that these geckos need a very specific environment to live. They do not do well if their natural home is damaged. This makes them very vulnerable.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) lists all Uroplatus species as threatened. They are on the "Top ten most wanted species list" because they are captured and sold illegally. This gecko is also a CITES Appendix 2 protected animal. This means its trade is controlled to prevent it from becoming endangered.

Protected areas are very important for these geckos. The satanic leaf-tailed gecko lives in at least three protected areas in Madagascar. These include Tsaratanana Strict Nature Reserve, Marojejy National Park, and Anjanaharibe Special Reserve. However, illegal collection still happens even in these protected places. More effort is needed to stop this activity. This will help ensure this unique reptile continues to survive.

See also

In Spanish: Gecko cola de hoja satánico para niños