(NOT new to science) Uroplatus phantasticus, The Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko was observed on a Conservation International Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) survey in Mantadia-Zahamena corridor of Madagascar in 1998. (The species was first described in 1888, and it is not rare in primary forest in Madagascar.) The Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko, is the smallest of 12 species of bizarre looking Leaf-tailed geckos. They are nocturnal, arboreal geckos which exhibit extremely cryptic camouflage, they are only found in primary, undisturbed forests, so their populations are very sensitive to habitat destruction. They are endemic to Madagascar. Large Uroplatus species have more teeth than any other living terrestrial vertebrate species.

The Leaf-Tailed Gecko is part of the complex cycle of circulating organic matter in the ecosystem. They are predators of small insects and small vertebrates

In 2004, WWF listed 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 (Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled.)

© Piotr Naskrecki


PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release on Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program and exclusively in conjunction thereof. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Piotr Naskrecki, and must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the press release on the Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program. Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice, map credit and a caption referencing the press release on the Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program are subject to paid licensing.

Any other uses are subject to further clearance and permission from Conservation International. Please contact Karen Mikosz at kmikosz@conservation.org or +1-703-341-2549 if you have any questions or if you wish to license the image for any other use.

(NOT new to science) Uroplatus phantasticus, The Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko was observed on a Conservation International Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) survey in Mantadia-Zahamena corridor of Madagascar in 1998. (The species was first described in 1888, and it is not rare in primary forest in Madagascar.) The Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko, is the smallest of 12 species of bizarre looking Leaf-tailed geckos. They are nocturnal, arboreal geckos which exhibit extremely cryptic camouflage, they are only found in primary, undisturbed forests, so their populations are very sensitive to habitat destruction. They are endemic to Madagascar. Large Uroplatus species have more teeth than any other living terrestrial vertebrate species.

The Leaf-Tailed Gecko is part of the complex cycle of circulating organic matter in the ecosystem. They are predators of small insects and small vertebrates

In 2004, WWF listed 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 (Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled.)

© Piotr Naskrecki


PERMITTED USE: This image may be downloaded at no charge for one-time use for coverage/promotion of the press release on Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program and exclusively in conjunction thereof. No copying, distribution or archiving permitted. No sublicensing, sale or resale permitted.

REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image uses must bear the copyright notice and be properly credited to © Piotr Naskrecki, and must be accompanied by a caption, which makes reference to the press release on the Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program. Any uses in which the image appears without proper copyright notice, map credit and a caption referencing the press release on the Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program are subject to paid licensing.

Any other uses are subject to further clearance and permission from Conservation International. Please contact Karen Mikosz at kmikosz@conservation.org or +1-703-341-2549 if you have any questions or if you wish to license the image for any other use.