Reptile · GBIF taxon 2445758
Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko
Uroplatus fimbriatusAlso known as Giant Leaf-tailed Gecko, Common Flat-tail Gecko, Fringed Leaf-tailed Gecko
Giant leaf-tailed geckos are master impressionists of the arboreal world, spending their days pressed flat against lichen-covered tree trunks with dermal fringes breaking up their outline. At night, they become active nocturnal predators, descending into the lower canopy to hunt invertebrates and small lizards with explosive speed. When cornered, they gape their bright pink mouths wide and produce a startling, piercing call to deter potential predators.
NocturnalCamouflagedArboreal
Licensed referenceFrank Vassen / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Crickets
- Moths
- Snails
Predators
- Tree snakes
- Owls
- Arboreal mammals
ThreatsDeforestation, forest degradation, and illegal collection for wildlife trade
HabitatsLowland and mid-elevation tropical rainforests
Life span10 to 15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyGekkonidae
- SpeciesUroplatus fimbriatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a painful bite if cornered; observe without handling.
- Why it is dangerous
- Strong jaws and sharp teeth can break skin and cause painful lacerations if the animal feels threatened or grabbed.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognizable by its large size over 30 centimeters, flattened body, dermal fringes along the lower jaw and flanks, and lidless eyes.
- What to do
- Maintain a respectful distance of at least one meter and never try to capture or handle wild geckos.
- What to notice
- Distinguished by its large size, moss-patterned skin, and wide leaf-shaped tail pressed flat against forest trees.
- Support conservation
- Limit bright flashlight exposure during nocturnal observations and never reveal specific field location coordinates online.
Responsible observation
- Spotting at Night: Search vertical tree trunks and low branches after dark using a low-intensity red headlamp.
- Appreciating Camouflage: Scan tree bark during the day for motionless, flattened outlines with ruffled skin edges.
- Give Space: Keep hands back to avoid triggering stressful throat-gaping threat displays or defensive bites.
Close Relative "Satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus), Maromizaha reserve, Madagascar" by Frank.Vassen is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Frank Vassen, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Nick Block, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Block · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.