Leaf tailed geckos are a bunch of geckos within the genus “Uroplatus“. There are a lot of totally different species of leaf tailed geckos, all of which may solely be present in Madagascar. Now we have added 21 of the at the moment confirmed Uroplatus geckos. Nonetheless, scientists are all the time studying about new species and new issues about species we already find out about, so we’ll attempt to come again each on occasion to replace the record if there are adjustments. The generic title, Uroplatus, is a Latinization of two Greek phrases: “ourá”, which suggests “tail” and “platys” which suggests “flat”. This refers back to the pretty flat tails that the genus is understood for. This group of nocturnal, egg-laying, insectivorous lizards could be discovered completely in major and secondary forests. Maintain studying to be taught somewhat bit about every of the 21 leaf tailed geckos.
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High 21 Checklist – Leaf Tailed Geckos
1. Mossy Leaf Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus sikorae
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Least Concern
First on our record, we’ve the mossy leaf tailed gecko. It’s not laborious to see why this stunning gecko known as mossy, as they’ve a really mossy-looking look. It virtually seems to be like they’re really rising moss and lichen on their our bodies. These masters of disguise use their distinctive coloration, leaf-shaped tails, flattened our bodies, and fringes alongside the physique to be virtually inconceivable to see throughout the day whereas they hang around and relaxation on bushes and branches. In comparison with different Uroplatus geckos they’re pretty medium-sized, reaching lengthens of 15 – 20cm (6 – 8 inches). Attributable to their stunning look, it’s straightforward to see why they’re a favourite within the pet commerce.
Mossy leaf tailed geckos obtained their species title, sikorae, in honor of Franz Sikora, an Austrian explorer, and collector primarily based in Reunion and picked up in Madagascar for seven years.
2. Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus phantasticus
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Least Concern
If you wish to be taught extra about these fascinating geckos, take a look at our article “Top 10 Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko Facts – A Leafy Looking Gecko“.
Satanic leaf tailed geckos, in our opinion, have probably the most distinctive title of all of the leaf tailed geckos. They obtained the “satanic” of their title due to the spiky ridges above their eyes, in addition to their darkish markings. Regardless of their look and title, these geckos are literally innocent and gained’t trigger you any hurt.
Satanic Leaf Tailed Geckos can are available quite a lot of colours. These colours can embody numerous shades of purples, oranges, yellows, and tans. Nonetheless, the commonest colour for satanic leaf tailed geckos is a mottled brown colour. Along with their important colours, they’ve small black dots on their undersides. As their title suggests their tail is flattened with a leaf-like look to it. Above their eyes are eyelash-like projections, and their eyes have a clear protecting over them, instead of eyelids. They will vary in measurement from wherever between 2.6 – 6 inches in size, together with their tail.
3. Big Mossy Leaf Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus giganteus
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Susceptible
Uroplatus giganteus, additionally known as the large mossy leaf tailed gecko, is a big and fascinating-looking gecko. Not solely are they regarded as the biggest species of Uroplatus, however they’re additionally thought of to be within the group of the biggest residing gecko species on this planet, with the biggest being the New Caledonian big gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus). It’s unsurprising then, that each their frequent title and particular title, giganteus, check with the big measurement of this gecko.
For years they had been simply considered the “white-eyed fimbriatus”, till 2006 when sufficient analysis was performed to find out they had been their very own species. Their mossy look, flattened physique, and fringes alongside their decrease jaw and physique assist them camouflage on bushes throughout the daytime. Big mossy leaf tailed geckos are present in Montagne d’Ambre Nationwide Park and Marojejy in Madagascar. They like greater humidity and are present in lowland humid forests, not dry forests.
4. Henkel’s Leaf Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus henkeli
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Susceptible
Uroplatus henkeli, also called Henkel’s leaf tailed gecko, was named after Friedrich-Wilhelm Henkel, a German herpetologist who makes a speciality of maintaining and breeding geckos. They’re one of many extra frequent leaf tailed geckos within the pet commerce and are pretty hardy on the subject of maintaining them. Nonetheless, they’re nonetheless illegally collected in Madagascar, which negatively impacts their inhabitants. When a Henkel’s leaf tailed gecko feels threatened they’ll level their broad flat tail upwards and wag it facet to facet. If that fails, they’ll arise tall and open their mouths angrily in a risk show.
The looks of Henkel’s leaf tailed gecko can fluctuate tremendously, with geckos having the ability to have numerous colours, in addition to patterns. Some have spots, some splotches, and a few might have bands. With such a distinction in colour and sample between a few of Henkel’s leaf tailed geckos, it’s thought that they could really be a number of species. Extra analysis is required on this although.
Henkel’s leaf tailed geckos have fringes alongside their decrease jaw and down their physique, which give them a bearded look. They’re reasonably flat animals, with a flat tail, physique, and triangular head that ends in a sharp snout. They common round 30.5cm (12 inches) in size, and most frequently in addition they have a darkish colour on the tip of their tongues.
5. Big Leaf Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus fimbriatus
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Least Concern
Uroplatus fimbriatus, additionally referred to as the large leaf tailed gecko is one other bigger species of leaf tailed geckos. They will attain a complete size of as much as 33cm (13 inches). Big leaf tailed geckos have a extra widespread vary of the place they’re discovered, which is almost definitely why they’re listed because the least concern on the IUCN crimson record. Nonetheless, you will need to nonetheless control this species, ensuring that their habitat is protected so the species can thrive. The species title fimbriatus is the Latin phrase for fringed and was chosen primarily based on the gecko’s distinctive look of fringed pores and skin alongside its sides.
Like different Uroplatus geckos, they’re masters of camouflage. Their leaf-like tails, physique colour, and patterns that make them appear like they’re virtually coated in moss or lichen, and fringes alongside the facet of their our bodies, all assist them preserve hidden on the bushes throughout the day whereas they relaxation. They’re very comparable in look to Big Mossy Leaf Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus giganteus). One of many important methods to inform them aside is the colours of their eyes. the large leaf tailed gecko has a extra yellow iris with distinct reddish brown strains, whereas the large mossy leaf tailed gecko has a extra white iris, with extra vague brown strains.
6. Spearpoint Leaf Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus ebenaui
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Susceptible
Uroplatus ebenaui, or the spearpoint leaf tailed gecko, is what many different just lately described Uroplatus species are in comparison with. The group of leaf tailed geckos that resemble the spearpoint leaf tailed gecko, and are descended from a single frequent ancestor, are also known as the ebenaui group. In reality, a lot of these species had been initially regarded as the spearpoint leaf tailed gecko till just lately after they had been confirmed to be their very own species’.
The spearpoint leaf tailed gecko obtained its title in honor of Karl Ebenau, a zoologist who was a German Consul in Madagascar. They are often present in lowland dry deciduous forests, normally about 1 – 5m (3 – 16 ft) above the bottom within the bushes. They’ve quick, rounded snouts, a leaf-shaped physique that’s laterally compressed (taller than it’s broad), with spines above their eyes, and on their elbows. The spearpoint leaf tailed gecko is taken into account the smallest of the leaf tailed geckos, measuring simply 8.9 – 10.2cm (3.5 – 4 inches) lengthy.
7. Lined Flat Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus lineatus
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Least Concern
The lined flat tail gecko might be the least leafy-looking gecko on the record, however that doesn’t make it any much less fascinating! Maybe some of the distinctive wanting leaf tailed geckos, it’s not laborious to see how this gecko obtained its title. The species title lineatus was taken from the Latin phrase linea, which suggests stripe or line and refers back to the strains down the gecko’s physique. These geckos are recognized for his or her means to alter their look from a extra stable beige or yellow colour, or make their strains extra obvious and look extra like striped wooden grain.
Lined flat tail geckos are one of many bigger Uroplatus species, reaching whole lengths of 25 – 28cm (10 – 11 inches). They lack a number of spines or dermal fringes that many species of leaf tailed gekcos have, however most lined flat tailed geckos do have spines above their eyes that just about resemble eyelashes. Their slender, elongated our bodies with easy pores and skin finish in an extended, flat, slim tail, which can be why it’s referred to as a flat tailed gecko in its frequent title. They’re primarily discovered within the tropical and bamboo forests of jap Madagascar.
8. Cork-Bark Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus pietschmanni
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Endangered
Uroplatus pietschmanni, additionally known as the cork-bark gecko, is actually a unique-looking gecko. They’ve many alternative traits that assist them camouflage on items of bark or tree trunks. These embody flat our bodies, tails that resemble dry oak leaves, scales of various sizes, and coloration that features numerous hues that resemble the bushes they’re discovered on. Cork bark geckos are so good at camouflage actually, that from 2007 to 2010 solely 5 of them had been discovered within the wild. One other distinctive attribute of this gecko is that the bottoms of its eyes are usually darker in colour, whereas the highest half is lighter.
The species’ title pietschmanni is in honor of a German gecko breeder named Jürgen Pietschmann.
9. Gunther’s Flat Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus guentheri
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Endangered
Uroplatus guentheri, or Gunther’s flat tailed gecko, is a leaf tailed gecko that makes use of its darkish brown mottled look, and flat paddle-shaped tail to mix into the bushes throughout the day whereas they’re resting. In keeping with the Uroplatus Information Center Website, they had been first found in 1908 however weren’t discovered once more till 1970. The species title guentheri, and the frequent title, are in honor of Albert Günther, a German-born zoologist on the British Museum.
They’re sadly an endangered species, solely present in just a few small patches of western and northwestern Madagascar. They’re usually discovered resting in shrubs and low bushes.
10. Lengthy-Tailed Ebenaui
Scientific Title: Uroplatus finiavana
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Close to Threatened
Uroplatus finiavana, additionally known as the long-tailed ebenaui, is a species of leaf tailed geckos which might be thought of a part of the ebenaui group of leaf tailed geckos. They are often present in Montagne d’Ambre nationwide park, in Madagascar. Uroplatus finiavana are comparable in look to Uroplatus ebenaui, nevertheless, they’ve longer tails and unpigmented mouths. They measure about 10 – 12cm (round 4 inches) lengthy, with females of this species tending to be barely bigger than males.
The species title finiavana is a Malagasy phrase which means initiative. That is in reference to the group of people that lastly named the gecko, after years of it being acknowledged that Uroplatus finiavana was almost definitely its personal species.
11. Finaritra Leaf Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus finaritra
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Not Listed
The finaritra leaf tailed gecko, Uroplatus finaritra, is a reasonably newly found leaf tailed gecko species, discovered within the low-altitude areas of Marojejy Nationwide Park. The species was first collected in 2003 by herpetologist Fanomezana Ratsoavina, nevertheless on the time it was thought that the geckos collected had been the similar-looking satanic leaf tailed gecko. In 2016 extra specimens had been collected, and it was seen that these geckos had been bigger than the satanic leaf tailed gecko, and the inside of their mouths had been a vivid scarlet crimson. Finaritra leaf tailed geckos had been then described as their very own species. They got the species title finaritra as a result of it’s the Malagasy phrase which means “wholesome and completely happy”, which researchers say described their delight at describing this new species.
The newly found species could also be at risk, as a result of pet commerce. Whereas their major habitat is in protected land, they’re usually nonetheless collected for the pet commerce, and labeled and offered as the favored satanic leaf tailed gecko, as it may be troublesome to inform the distinction between the 2 species. A younger finaritra leaf tailed gecko can solely be informed aside from the satanic leaf tailed gecko by their vivid crimson mouth. Untrained collectors forcing the gecko to open its mouth could be extraordinarily aggravating to the gecko, in addition to harm the gecko long run.
12. Northern Flat Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus alluaudi
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Close to Threatened
The northern flat tailed gecko, Uroplatus alluaudi, is a smaller leaf tailed gecko, with a size of 6.9 – 7.9cm (2.5 – 3 inches) SVL (snout to vent size. Their heads are pretty flattened, and so they have a brief rounded snout. Northern flat tailed geckos have comparatively quick tails in comparison with different leaf tailed geckos within the allaudi group of Uroplatus, and their tails are reasonably serrated, with a leaf-like form. Colours of the northern flat tailed gecko vary from beige to hazel brown, with numerous darkish brown to black patterns. This helps them camouflage into their habitat and stay hidden from potential predators.
Northern flat tailed geckos obtained their particular title alluaudi in honor of Charles Alluaud, a French entomologist, botanist, and naturalist. They are often present in a small space in Madagascar’s northern rainforest.
13. Southeastern Lowland Leaf Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus sameiti
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Least Concern
Subsequent on our record is the very cool-looking Southeastern Lowland leaf tailed gecko (Uroplatus sameiti). Aside from just a few variations, the southeastern lowland leaf tailed gecko intently resembles the mossy leaf tailed gecko (Uroplatus sikorae). So intently actually, that for a very long time, the southeastern lowland leaf tailed gecko was regarded as a subspecies of the mossy leaf tailed gecko, and initially had the scientific title Uroplatus sikorae sameiti. One of many variations is that the southeastern lowland leaf tailed gecko tends to be barely bigger, with a SVL (snout to vent size) of round 18.8 – 22.9cm (7 – 9 inches), with males tending to be barely larger than females. Southeastern lowland leaf geckos additionally are inclined to have a flesh/pink coloured buccal membrane (again of their mouth), whereas the mossy leaf tailed gecko has black.
The southeastern lowland leaf tailed gecko has various patterns and designs that resemble numerous mosses, bark, and lichen discovered of their habitat, which helps them camouflage. They spend nearly all of the day time on tree trunks, with their heads in direction of the bottom resting. Through the day they’ll enterprise off seeking meals.
14. Uroplatus fetsy
Scientific Title: Uroplatus fetsy
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Not Listed
Uroplatus fetsy is without doubt one of the newer species of leaf tailed geckos to be described, and we couldn’t discover a frequent title for them. ‘Fetsy’ is a Malagasy phrase which means ‘sly’. That is due to the rarity with which this species is encountered. They managed to evade researchers for a very long time regardless of the substantial variety of analysis expeditions carried out the place they dwell, in addition to their sly-looking ‘smile’. Uroplatus fetsy are discovered within the forest across the limestone karst of Ankarana Nationwide Park in northern Madagascar. They’re comparable in look to the spearpoint leaf tailed geckos, nevertheless, one of many best methods to tell apart the 2 is that Uroplatus fetsy have pink and black coloring of their mouths, whereas the spearpoint leaf tailed gecko (Uroplatus ebenaui) have largely black mouths.
15. Uroplatus fiera
Scientific Title: Uroplatus fiera
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Not Listed
One other newer species with no frequent title, we’ve Uroplatus fiera. They’re collected primarily from the Jap/Central forests of Madagascar, and it’s one other species that very intently resembles Uroplatus ebenaui. In reality, it has been discovered that in captivity, many leaf tailed geckos which might be labeled on the market as Uroplatus ebenaui, are literally Uroplatus fiera. Uroplatus fiera has two horns above their eyes and lacks the cranial ridge that connects the horns alongside the again of the pinnacle that Uroplatus ebenaui have. They attain an grownup measurement of round 9cm (3.5 inches) and weigh round 9 or 10 grams. Like Uroplatus ebenaui and Uroplatus fetsy, they’ve smaller leaf-like tails than different leaf tailed geckos.
16. Uroplatus fotsivava
Scientific Title: Uroplatus fotsivava
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Not Listed
Uroplatus fotsivava is one other newer leaf tailed gecko species, and they are often discovered within the mountains in Northern Madagascar. They got the species title fotsivava due to the colour, or lack of colour, of their mouths. Fotsivava is a mixture of the Malagasy phrases for white (fotsy) and mouth (vava). The title refers back to the lack of any pigment of their mouths, and on the time was the primary attribute they used to distinguish it from different leaf tailed gecko species within the space. They’re comparable in look to the group of geckos that resemble Uroplatus ebenaui by being pretty small, having a leaf-shaped physique, and triangular head. As you’ll be able to see within the photos above, in addition they have fairly small tails in comparison with different leaf tailed geckos.
17. Uroplatus kelirambo
Scientific Title: Uroplatus kelirambo
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Not Listed
Uroplatus kelirambo and Uroplatus fotsivava had been each described as new species on the similar time, in 2017. Uroplatus kelirambo is just like the group of leaf tailed geckos that resemble Uroplatus ebenaui, with its small measurement, triangular head, spines above their eyes, and pretty quick tails. The principle ways in which persons are capable of inform the kelirambo leaf tailed gecko aside from different geckos within the ebenaui group is as a result of black colour of their mouth, in addition to the distinctive elongated form and small measurement of the tail.
The species title kelirambo is made up of two Malagasy phrases, that are kely (small) and rambo (tail). This refers back to the small, skinny tail that this species has. Additionally they selected this title as a result of it refers back to the film character Rambo, and his toughness. Like different leaf tailed geckos within the ebenaui group, Uroplatus kelirambo has a rambo-esque expression and is a troublesome gecko able to surviving at extraordinarily excessive altitudes, which is a novel attribute amongst Madagascar’s group of nocturnal geckos.
18. Easy Leaf Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus malama
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Not Listed
Uroplatus malama are small, short-headed, and short-snouted geckos that dwell in southeastern Madagascar, round Mount Anosy. They don’t have any fringes on their decrease jaw, neck, physique, or limbs. The opposite species of leaf tailed geckos that Uroplatus malama are most just like is Uroplatus ebenaui. Nonetheless, they differ in scalation and coloration. They’re totally different from different leaf tailed geckos as a result of they lack dermal spines on their head, limbs, and the bottom of their tail that the opposite species have. In reality, that is how they got the species title malama. Malama is Malagasy for “easy”, and that is in reference to the absence of those spines, crests, or any raised scales.
19. Uroplatus malahelo
Scientific Title: Uroplatus malahelo
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Not Listed
We couldn’t discover any pictures of the Uroplatus malama gecko, however since it’s nonetheless a acknowledged species of Uroplatus we thought it was necessary to incorporate them nonetheless. Particularly since their story is a little bit of a tragic one.
The title “malahelo” is a Malagasy phrase that interprets to “forlorn” or “unhappy”. They got this title as a result of there have solely been two specimens collected from a small remoted patch of land within the rainforest. On the time the species was being found, the patch of rainforest was being reduce down and burned. Except they dwell in different areas but to be found, it isn’t thought that this species will make it, in the event that they’re even nonetheless round. They’re regarded as pretty small geckos and are most just like Uroplatus alluaudi. Nonetheless, they differ in coloration, in addition to they’ve homogeneous dorsal scales (which means the scales are the identical all through) whereas Uroplatus alluaudi don’t.
20. Marojejy Leaf Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus fangorn
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Not Listed
Uroplatus fangorn, or the Marojejy leaf tailed gecko, is a novel wanting leaf tailed gecko that may be present in northeastern Madagascar. These fascinating geckos got the species title fangorn due to well-known creator J.R.R Tolkien. The title was derived from the title of a deep, darkish woodland in Tolkien’s center earth. Fangorn is a Sindarin phrase (one in every of Tolkien’s made-up languages), which means “Treebeard”. The identical title was given to a race of historic tree shepherds in Tolkein’s world. The discoverers of Uroplatus fangorn then gave the gecko that title due to the similarities between Fangorn forest and the forests during which the gecko are discovered, and likewise in reference to the tree-like look of the geckos, making them look like the tree shepherds referred to earlier.
21. Sorata Leaf Tailed Gecko
Scientific Title: Uroplatus fivehy
Geographic Vary: Madagascar
Conservation Standing: Not Listed
Final, however not least, on our record we’ve Uroplatus fivehy, also called the Sorata leaf tailed gecko. Whereas they don’t seem to be listed on IUCN’s Purple Checklist, it has been proposed that they be listed as weak as a result of they’re present in some forests which might be outdoors protected areas in Madagascar, in addition to the decline of forest patches within the north of Madagascar the place they’re discovered. The species title fivehy references the flatness of their tail, identical to the generic title Uroplatus. Fivehy within the native Malagasy dialect means “paddle”, and is in reference to the paddle-like form of the gecko’s tail. The Sorata leaf tailed gecko is a reasonably small gecko, with a leaf-shaped physique, quick tail, and triangular head with spines above their eyes.
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