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Lined Leaf-tailed Gecko
Uroplatus lineatus
The 'stick' gecko of the bamboo forests. Extraordinarily different from all other Uroplatus, this gecko doesn't imitate dead leaves or bark, but has evolved into a very long, tapered shape devoid of dermal fringes to perfectly blend with the smooth stalks of Malagasy bamboo.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Gekkonidae
Genus:Uroplatus
Species:Uroplatus lineatus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 90 %
Day temperature
22 - 26 °C
Night temperature
18 - 21 °C
Adult size
17 cm
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the primary rainforests of eastern and northeastern Madagascar. This highly specialized species lives and nests almost exclusively in areas densely populated by yellow bamboo.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the Gekkonidae family. The Lined Leaf-tailed Gecko (*Uroplatus lineatus*) is uniquely adapted to mimic bamboo stalks, having evolved a long, cylindrical body devoid of the lateral skin fringes typical of the genus.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal and arboreal. During the day, it sleeps stretched out flat along bamboo stems, aligning its body to blend in. At night, it hunts actively, jumping between stalks to capture prey.
Morphology: Adults reach 25-27 cm in total length. Body is elongated, with longitudinal stripes on a tan or yellow background and a spear-shaped tail. Males have prominent hemipenal bulges at the base of the tail.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: A tall, vertically oriented enclosure (minimum 45x45x60 cm) with excellent ventilation (mesh screen sides) is required. Furnish with smooth, thick yellow bamboo poles placed vertically and diagonally.
Lighting and Heating: Prefers moderate temperatures of 24-26°C during the day, with a nighttime drop to 20-22°C. Being nocturnal, they do not require intense heat lamps; a low-output UVB source (2%) is sufficient to maintain a natural photoperiod.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high humidity levels between 70% and 90%, allowing the enclosure to dry out slightly during the day. Spray or run a misting system nightly to provide drinking water on the bamboo surfaces.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly insectivorous. Feed live crickets and small locusts. Prey items should be dusted with high-quality calcium and vitamin supplements every other day to prevent deficiencies.
Compatibility: Territorial geckos. House individually or in established male-female pairs. Never house two males together, and monitor pairs closely for signs of stress.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly sensitive to overheating and dehydration, which can lead to rapid decline. Lack of proper supplementation can cause metabolic issues. Handle with extreme care to avoid tail autotomy.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to the primary rainforests of eastern and northeastern Madagascar. This highly specialized species lives and nests almost exclusively in areas densely populated by yellow bamboo.
Origin
Africa and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 17 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 17 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 17 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.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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