Indigenous Geckos of Madagascar - Uroplatus

Uroplatus is genus of geckos ranging in size from 4” to 12”. These geckos are camouflaged by coloration, patterns, as well as structures on their bodies in order to resemble their habitat and camouflage themselves almost completely. Uroplatus geckos require an approximate humidity of 80% and an average temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Many Uroplatus species are arboreal, however Uroplatus ebenaui and Uroplatus phantasticus live in the foliage near the ground.

  • Uroplatus ebenaui

The Spearpoint leaf-tailed gecko’s specific camouflage is designed to mimic a dried leaf. They occur in the eastern rainforest belt of Madagascar and must have a habitat with a temperature of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit and 80%-100% humidity.

  • Uroplatus fimbriatus

This nocturnal species of gecko lives along the entire east coast of Madagascar. It requires regions with a humidity between 70% and 100%, a temperature of at least 22 degrees Celsius and up to 30 degrees Celsius.

  • Uroplatus guentheri

Uroplatus guentheri is an arboreal species that occurs in northwestern and western Madagascar and can grow to 6 inches.

  • Uroplatus henkeli

This species inhabits the humid rainforests of northern Madagascar. They typically grow to a length between 10 and 12 inches.

  • Uroplatus lineatus

Uroplatus lineatus inhabits the bamboo forests of northeast Madagascar and typically grow to 10 inches in length.

  • Uroplatus malahelo

Uroplatus malahelo was discovered in the Malahelo forest of southeastern Madagascar in 1992; however, it may be extinct due to only 2 specimens being discovered.

  • Uroplatus malama

Uroplatus malama was discovered in a low-montane forest; however, only one specimen is known to exist and this species may be extinct.

  • Uroplatus phantasticus

Uroplatus phantasticus occurs in eastern Madagascar

  • Uroplatus sikorae

Uroplatus sikorae is an arboreal gecko that occurs in the rainforest belt of eastern Madagascar. This species can grow to approximately 7 inches in length and has the feature of flaps on the underside of its head in order to blur its outline when pressed against a tree to hide from predators more effectively.

Read more about this topic:  Indigenous Geckos Of Madagascar