Uroplatus phantasticushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uroplatus_phantasticus
Uroplatus phantasticus, the Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko, is a species of gecko endemic to the island of Madagascar. First described in 1888 by George Albert Boulenger, U. phantasticus is the smallest in body of the Uroplatus geckos, though there is an ongoing debate as to whether one of its cousins, U. ebanaui, is smaller because of its shorter tail. The satanic leaf tailed gecko is also commonly known as the eyelash leaf tailed gecko or fantastic leaf tailed gecko.
As with all Uroplatus geckos, the tail is flattened and leaf-like. Some U. phantasticus even have notches in their tails to further resemble a decaying leaf. This is also thought to be a form of sexual dimorphism, as the trait seems more common in males of the species. In addition, U. phantasticus has an eyelash-like projection above each eye. During the daylight hours, these adaptations help the gecko blend into its surroundings. At night it helps the gecko hunt for prey by providing camouflage.
Its adult size is anywhere from 2.5-6 inches total length.
The satanic leaf tailed gecko occurs in a variety of colors, ranging through various hues of purple, orange, tan and yellow.
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Topic: Amazing nature (Read 69434 times)