Which Madagascar rainforest gecko is famous for its leaf-like body and bizarre, jagged tail?

The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is the Madagascar rainforest gecko famous for its leaf-like body and jagged, dead-leaf-shaped tail. Its scientific name is Uroplatus phantasticus.

This small nocturnal lizard uses camouflage to disappear against branches and leaf litter. Its skin can show brown, gray, orange, and greenish tones, while irregular edges break up the outline of its body. The tail is especially convincing because it resembles a dry leaf with missing or damaged sections.

Large eyes help the gecko hunt at night. It feeds mainly on insects and other small invertebrates, catching prey with a sudden strike. When threatened, it may open its mouth, display its patterned interior, or shed its tail, which can later regenerate.

The species is endemic to Madagascar, meaning it occurs naturally nowhere else. Madagascar’s isolated evolution has produced many unusual reptiles, but the satanic leaf-tailed gecko is not venomous and does not possess supernatural traits suggested by its common name.