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Leaf-tailed gecko Facts

Leaf-tailed gecko Facts
Leaf-tailed gecko, also known as flat-tailed gecko is reptile that belongs to the family Gekkonidae. There are more than 10 species of leaf-tailed gecko that are endemic for Madagascar and surrounding islands (they cannot be found anywhere else in the world). Leaf-tailed gecko inhabits dense tropical jungles. All species of leaf-tailed gecko are threatened by accelerated habitat loss (due to deforestation). Even though trade of leaf-tailed geckoes is prohibited by law, many species are still collected from the wild and sold as exotic pets.
Interesting Leaf-tailed gecko Facts:
Leaf-tailed gecko can reach 4 to 12 inches in length and 0.35 to 1 ounce of weight.
Leaf-tailed gecko can be grey-brown, green-brown or black colored. Its skin has rough texture that resembles either bark of a tree or leaf, depending on the species. Some leaf-tailed geckoes are covered with spines. Color and texture of the skin, together with unusual morphology of the body ensure perfect camouflage in the forest.
Leaf-tailed gecko has large eyes without eyelids, sticky toes on the feet and long, broad and flat, leaf-like tail (hence the name "leaf-tailed").
Due to lack of eyelids, leaf-tailed gecko removes dirt from the eyes with its long tongue.
Leaf-tailed gecko is adapted to the life in the trees (arboreal animal). It climbs on the trees with ease thanks to its sticky toes and curved claws on the feet. Long tail can be wrapped around branches to ensure stability on the trees.
Toes of leaf-tailed gecko are made of millions of microscopically small plates which facilitate movement across smooth vertical surfaces such as glass.
Leaf-tailed gecko basks in the sun and rests during the day and hunts during the night (nocturnal animal).
Leaf-tailed gecko is a carnivore. Its diet is based mostly on the insects. Spiders and worms, small rodents and reptiles are occasionally on the menu.
Natural enemies of leaf-tailed geckoes are birds of prey (such as eagles), snakes and rats.
Predators can hardly notice this unusual reptile among the branches and leaves due to excellent camouflage. Leaf-tailed gecko is even able to flatten the body to reduce its own shadow. Satanic leaf-tailed gecko opens its jaws and exposes its bright-red mouth to frighten the predator when it is cornered. Leaf-tailed gecko can also shed its tail to escape from a danger.
Leaf-tailed gecko is solitary creature.
Mating season of leaf-tailed geckoes starts at the beginning of the rainy season.
Little is known about reproductive behavior of leaf-tailed gecko except that female lays 2 to 4 spherical eggs under the leaves or inside of dead plants.
Leaf-tailed geckoes do not show parental care. Both eggs and hatchlings are left on their own.
Leaf-tailed gecko has an average lifespan of 2 to 9 years in the wild.


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