Species · GBIF taxon 2445755
Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko
Uroplatus phantasticusAlso known as Eyelash Leaf-tailed Gecko, Phantastic Leaf-tailed Gecko, Boulenger's Leaf-tailed Gecko
These extraordinary reptiles are masters of mimicry, sporting bodies that perfectly resemble decaying leaves complete with veins, notched edges, and faux rot spots. During the day, they hang motionless among dead foliage in the rainforest understory, relying on eyelash-like projections and mottled skin to dissolve into the background. At night, they wake to hunt insects, using their large, lidless eyes to navigate the dark forest floor.
CamouflagedNocturnalArboreal
- diet
- Invertebrates including crickets, moths, spiders, and beetles
- family
- Gekkonidae
- threats
- Deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and illegal collection for the pet trade
- life Span
- 3 to 5 years in the wild
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Highly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and heavily targeted by illegal collectors for the exotic pet trade.
Never disclose precise GPS locations of sightings online to protect wild populations from poachers.- Spotting: Look closely at clumps of dead, hanging leaves about one to two meters off the forest floor.
- Handling: Avoid touching these delicate lizards, as stress can cause them to shed their tails or tear their skin.
- Night Walks: Use a dim flashlight with a red filter to observe their active nocturnal hunting behaviors.