An odd looking creature with an even odder name, the satanic leaf-tailed gecko is a rare lizard species that can only be found on the island of Madagascar. These geckos are noted for their large, flat tail that resembles a leaf. The scientific name of this species, phantasticus, is Latin for “imaginary”, and it was given this name because upon their discovery in 1888, naturalist George Albert Boulenger described the lizards as “mythical”. And we can see why!
Satanic leaf gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus)
This gecko species is endemic to Madagascar and isn't found anywhere else in world
They were first described by zoologist George Albert Boulenger, in 1888.
The scientific name of its species, phantasticus, is Latin for "imaginary".
It was given this name because Boulenger described the lizards as "mythical".
They are an aboreal species, and primarily spend their time in the trees.
Some, but not all, leaf-tailed geckos have notches in their tails to further give the illusion of a decaying leaf.
These tail notches are primarily found in males.
Including the tail, these geckos can be between 2.6 - 6 inches in length.
Like other geckos, they do not possess eyelids.
Instead, they have a transparent covering over their eyes and use their tongues to lick away any debris caught in the eye.
Leaf-tailed geckos come in a variety of colours, including purple, orange, tan, yellow and most commonly brown.
To scare off predators, the leaf-tailed gecko will show off its bright red mouth.
They can also flatten their bodies against the substrate to reduce their shadow to avoid detection.
If they need to, they're able to shed their tail off to trick a predator.
These reptiles are nocturnal and spend their nights hunting for insects.
Their preferred snack? Crickets and moths.
Like most reptiles, the leaf-tailed gecko is oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
These geckos have special adhesive scales under their fingers and toes which helps them stick to the leaves and branches of trees.
Studies suggest that leaf-tailed geckos are only able to survive in very specific environments, which explains why you can only find them in one part of the world.
The species is therefore very vulnerable to the impact of deforestation and habitat destruction.
Because of their unique appearance, many people want one for a pet, and the leaf-tailed gecko is frequently captured and sold for the illegal pet trade.
Captive conditions can also lead to aggression amongst males.
Fortunately, there is hope for the species as three of Madagascar's protected habitats are places where you can find these geckos.
This includes the Tsaratanana Strict Nature Reserve, Marojejy National Park and Anjanaharibe Special Reserve
