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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 &quot;phantasticus&quot; 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&#039;s not hard to imagine missing this one :)<br />
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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 Click/tap to enlarge Species introCountry intro

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 :)

What makes this spotting extra special is that this specie is not documented to be found in Ranomafana at all.

    comments (7)

  1. Closeup of head:

    Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko closeup in Ranomafana Check the center of this photo for the head of the Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko, this one spotted in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. What an awesome creature it is. <br />
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Should you ever visit Madagascar, here is a word of advise: guides assume you're primarily interested in lemurs and chameleons. Tell them that you're interested in everything. Madagascar's reptile and insect life is equally, if not more interesting than it's other famous creatures. Madagascar,Ranomafana National Park,Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko,Uroplatus phantasticus
    Posted 12 years ago
  2. Incredible...both shots. What an evil looking thing, I can see where it gets its name from! Posted 12 years ago
    1. Thanks. The first time I saw this creature on a photo I will never forget and makes me remember their name even more:

      http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/06/article-0-13797FAB000005DC-710_306x547.jpg
      Posted 12 years ago, modified 12 years ago
      1. Oh my goodness, thats the scariest thing have ever seen! Posted 12 years ago
  3. F*** oe aaa what a shot, you must have been positively drewling over this one:) Had I spotted it I would have made a shot too, of this nice antiquated leaf, truly amazing.
    Ps. your dailymail link is awesome too, I wonder if this creature hunts someones dreams:..
    Posted 12 years ago
  4. Wow... no words for this pic. I am surprised that you were able to spot it. Outstanding. Posted 11 years ago
    1. Thanks. You may also like this one:

      http://www.jungledragon.com/specie/1325/mossy_leaf-tailed_gecko.html
      Posted 11 years ago

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''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.

Similar species: Snakes And Lizards
Species identified by Ferdy Christant
View Ferdy Christant's profile

By Ferdy Christant

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jan 6, 2013. Captured Sep 8, 2012 08:30.
  • NIKON D7000
  • f/5.6
  • 1/60s
  • ISO100
  • 105mm