Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus henkeli)

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Sauria
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Uroplatus
Species: U. henkeli
Binomial name
Uroplatus henkeli
Böhme & Ibisch, 1990

Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus henkeli), is a gecko that is found on the island Nosy Bé near Madagascar, as well as on the mainland Madagascar itself, in the region of Ankaranafantsika. These geckos live an arboreal lifestyle, often venturing down to the ground only to lay eggs in soft soil and leaflitter. There are two different morphs of these geckos; the Nosy Bé form, and the mainland Madagascar form, and they can be distinguished by their colouration patterns, though these are not always reliable. Reaching a total length of 280 mm, this is one of largest species in the genus. These geckos are insectivores, but will also eat snails if they are found, as they give a boost in calcium.

Two U. henkeli hanging head-down from a glass wall of a display in the Museum of Science, Boston
Two U. henkeli hanging head-down from a glass wall of a display in the Museum of Science, Boston


[edit] References and notes