Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko on the hunt, Andasibe, Madagascar
Species in the Uroplatus genus (leaf-tailed geckos) in my opinion are the most amazing geckos in the world, nothing else comes close. They are typically photographed in their daytime hiding posture, which highlight their incredible camouflage capabilities.
As few people stroll through the jungle at night, you'll find less photos of an "active" species. So here's a Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko at night, on the hunt. As you can see, it no longer makes an effort to hide. It is in the open instead of hiding between leafs, and it's no longer hanging to resemble a leaf.
And still...even when active it's easily mistaken for a leaf. Flash and macro emphasize the animal but I for one had totally missed it. I imagine we walked past dozens of "active" ones on this night.
In any case...check out that tail!
''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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