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A Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) doing its very best dead leaf impression Our guide found this gecko by day in a tree. He gently removed it from the tree so that we could get close-up photos. While we were admiring it, the gecko leaped into the air and grabbed a twig with its back feet, then froze in this dead-leaf position. Fall,Geotagged,Madagascar,Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko,Uroplatus phantasticus Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

A Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) doing its very best dead leaf impression

Our guide found this gecko by day in a tree. He gently removed it from the tree so that we could get close-up photos. While we were admiring it, the gecko leaped into the air and grabbed a twig with its back feet, then froze in this dead-leaf position.

    comments (4)

  1. View John Sullivan's profile
    John Sullivan
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Ferdy, this one is for you, to compare with
    Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko, a natural wonder This spotting blew our mind. On a steep and wet walk in Ranomafana national park, Madagascar, we were pointing by a guide to what appears to be a decaying leaf. Yet this is the mythical "phantasticus" Satanic Leaf Tailed gecko. Surely it is one of the most impressive camouflages we ever saw. With the subject in focus and fully flash-lit, you may recognize it as a gecko, if at all, but it's not hard to imagine missing this one :)<br /> <br /> What makes this spotting extra special is that this specie is not documented to be found in Ranomafana at all. Madagascar,Ranomafana National Park,Uroplatus phantasticus
     Posted 9 years ago
    1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
      Lion
      View Lion class
      You sure delivered! You got much better light, allowing a close look at the amazing camouflage. I particularly love the green and red irregularities that one would also find on trees in a humid forest. Thanks for sharing! Posted 9 years ago
  3. View Tarsier's profile
    Tarsier
    Lion
    View Lion class
    my very favourite leaf-tailed gecko:-)!! I love it's posing upside down! Posted 9 years ago
  4. View abhitap's profile
    abhitap
    Lion
    View Lion class
    amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! Posted 9 years ago

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The Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko

''Uroplatus phantasticus'', the Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko, is a species of gecko endemic to the island of Madagascar. First described in 1888 by George Albert Boulenger, ''U. phantasticus'' is the smallest in body of the ''Uroplatus'' geckos, though there is an ongoing debate as to whether one of its cousins, ''U. ebenaui'', is smaller because of its shorter tail. It may also be known as the eyelash leaf tailed gecko or the fantastic leaf tailed gecko.

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Similar species: Snakes And Lizards
Species identified by John Sullivan
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By John Sullivan

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Uploaded Jan 20, 2016. Captured Apr 28, 2007 10:49 in 2, Ranomafana, Madagascar.
country flag of Madagascar Explore Madagascar 3,111 753 0
  • PENTAX *ist D
  • f/8.0
  • 1/4s
  • ISO400
Captured in the fall. More fall photos.

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