ReptileTerrestrialExpert
©AI Generated·Proprietary
Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko
Uroplatus henkeli
Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus henkeli) is a nocturnal arboreal reptile endemic to Madagascar, famous for its remarkable camouflage, fringed skin flaps, and flat tail.
- Taxonomy
- Class:SquamataOrder:SquamataFamily:GekkonidaeGenus:UroplatusSpecies:Uroplatus henkeli
Share
Check out Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko on Atlarium
Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 90 %
Day temperature
22 - 26 °C
Night temperature
18 - 21 °C
Adult size
28 cm
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to Madagascar, found primarily in the primary dry deciduous forests of the northwest (including the island of Nosy Be) and some humid rainforest zones. It is a strictly arboreal species that dwells on tree trunks and lower-to-middle branches of the forest undergrowth.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Gekkonidae, genus *Uroplatus*. Described in 1990, it is threatened by habitat loss and protected under CITES Appendix II. Distinct island populations show morphological variations that may suggest a species complex.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal and arboreal, renowned for its incredible cryptic camouflage. During the day, it rests motionless head-down on tree trunks, flattening its body to eliminate shadows. If threatened, it opens its mouth wide to display a bright red interior and emits a loud hiss or scream.
Morphology: Large gecko, with adults measuring between 20 and 28 cm. Characterized by fringed skin flaps along the margins of the body and chin to mimic lichens, a flat leaf-shaped tail, and large lidless eyes with vertical slit pupils and complex branch-like patterns.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a spacious, vertically oriented terrarium of at least 60x60x90 cm (24x24x36 inches) for a single specimen or a pair. Decorate with numerous vertical and diagonal branches of varying thickness, live plants with large leaves (e.g., *Ficus*, *Pothos*) for cover, and cork bark backing. Use a moisture-retaining substrate like coconut fiber and sphagnum moss.
Lighting and Heating: Requires moderate temperatures: daytime ambient of 24-26°C (75-79°F), with a warm spot not exceeding 28°C (82°F). Nighttime temperatures should drop to 20-22°C (68-72°F). Sustained temperatures above 29-30°C (85°F) are lethal. Provide low-output (2-5%) UVB lighting to simulate dappled forest sunlight.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high relative humidity, peaking at 70-80% nightly and drying to 50-60% during the day to prevent mold. Mist the enclosure heavily every evening; these geckos do not drink from standing water and rely on licking droplets from leaves and glass.
Feeding and Supplementation: Exclusively insectivorous. Feeds on crickets, roaches, silkworms, locusts, and occasionally small snails (important for breeding females' calcium reserves). Dust insects with pure calcium at every feeding, and with calcium plus D3 twice monthly.
Compatibility: Can be housed individually or as a male-female pair. Never house two males together, as they will fight aggressively. Females can sometimes be kept together, but require close monitoring for signs of stress or food competition.
Health and Common Diseases: Dehydration is a major risk if humidity is too low or misting is skipped. Prone to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) without calcium/UVB, and eye infections if cage hygiene is poor. Highly sensitive to heat stress.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to Madagascar, found primarily in the primary dry deciduous forests of the northwest (including the island of Nosy Be) and some humid rainforest zones. It is a strictly arboreal species that dwells on tree trunks and lower-to-middle branches of the forest undergrowth.
Origin
North AmericaAfrica and Madagascar
Reptile profile
- Diet
- Insectivore
- The Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko is a highly specialized ambush predator and strict insectivore. Depending heavily on its exceptional camouflage, it waits motionless on bark or branches for unsuspecting prey to wander within striking distance. In the wild, its diet consists of a wide variety of arboreal arthropods, including large spiders, roaches, and occasionally terrestrial snails. In a terrarium setting, their nutritional needs are effectively met by offering appropriately sized crickets, locusts, and dubia roaches, ensuring all feeder insects are gut-loaded and lightly dusted with essential calcium and vitamin supplements to maintain proper metabolic function.
- Adult size
- 28 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 28 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 16 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- Arboreal
- Highly arboreal, utilizing medium to large vertical branches. They possess specialized skin flaps that help them blend seamlessly into the bark.
- Activity cycle
- Nocturnal
- Nocturnal. They are masters of camouflage, resting head-down on tree trunks during the daylight hours before actively hunting at dusk.
- Sociality
- Solitary
- Characterized by a deeply cryptic and solitary lifestyle, the Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko relies almost entirely on its mimicry to evade detection by both predators and prey. While they are not as overtly aggressive as some other gecko species, males remain highly territorial and will engage in aggressive displays or physical combat if confined together. For long-term success in captivity, keepers are advised to house them either individually or in a sex-biased pair consisting of a single male and one female, ensuring the enclosure is expansive and richly structured to minimize stress.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Reproduction in this specialized species follows an oviparous strategy, typical of the leaf-tailed gecko genus. Females descend to the forest floor to lay clutches of exactly two spherical, calcified eggs, carefully concealing them within moist leaf litter or soft substrate to shield them from predators and environmental extremes. Captive incubation requires a delicate balance of cool temperatures—typically between 72°F and 76°F—and high ambient humidity, with embryonic development concluding after an extended incubation period of approximately 80 to 100 days.
- Handling tolerance
- Display only
- Should only be viewed, not handled. They stress easily, jump unpredictably, and their sensitive skin and tail can be damaged.
- Brumation
- Not required
- True brumation isn't necessary, but a cooler, slightly drier winter period helps to cycle them for breeding purposes.
- Molting
- Periodic
- They require consistent high humidity (70-85%) with heavy misting at night to facilitate a clean and successful shedding process.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
