Common flat-tail gecko
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Speciesbox
The common flat-tail gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus) is a gecko endemic to Madagascar. It is found in eastern Madagascar and on the islands Nosy Bohara and Nosy Mangabe. These geckos live in tropical rain forests. They reach a total length of 330 mm.
Etymology
The generic name, Uroplatus, is a Latinization of two Greek words: "ourá" (οὐρά) meaning "tail" and "platys" (πλατύς) meaning "flat". Its specific name fimbriatus is the Latin word for "fringed" based upon the gecko's unique appearance of fringed skin.
Description
_2.jpg){kind=link}
It is a large nocturnal gecko.<ref name="Glaw1"/> Because the eyes are extremely sensitive to light, 350 times more sensitive than the human eye, the species is able to see in colors even at night.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> By day it plasters itself to a small tree trunk and rests head down. If disturbed it will raise its tail and head, open its mouth and scream.<ref name="Glaw1">Template:Cite book</ref>
Threats
Habitat destruction and deforestation in Madagascar is the primary threat to this animal's future as well as collection for the pet trade.<ref name="CITES">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) lists all of the Uroplatus species on their "Top ten most wanted species list" of animals threatened by illegal wildlife trade, because of it "being captured and sold at alarming rates for the international pet trade". It is a CITES Appendix 2 protected animal.<ref name="CITES"/> However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature considers the commercial export as likely sustainable.<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />
Gallery
-
Giant Leaf tail Gecko
-
Leaf Tailed Gecko
-
Leaf Tailed Gecko - from below
-
The underside of the Leaf Tailed Gecko clinging to glass
-
Camouflage of the gecko
.jpg){kind=link}
