Spear Point Leaf Tail Gecko

Real Monstrosities · 8 years ago · 132 views

Image: Antonio Rodríguez Arduengo Uroplatus ebenaui Demons get such a bad rap these days. And... all other days, I suppose. But look at this cutie! Surely he wouldn't hurt a fly! Image: Alextelford Hmm? Oh. Turns out he would eat a fly. OK. Image: Frank Vassen But I bet he does it in the cutest way possible! The flies last thoughts would be something like, "This is actually kind of adorable. It's way better than getting eaten by a spider." Image: Frank Vassen The Spear Point Leaf Tail Gecko is a member of the genus Uroplatus, the same as the Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko (U. phantasticus). While it's great that one species got the moniker, to me they're all equally and wonderfully Satanic! This species is found only in a tiny patch of northern Madagascar, as well as just off the coast on the even tinier and delightfully named island of Nosy Be. Image: Antonio Rodríguez Arduengo They hang out in the trees, using their amazing camouflage to hide in plain sight during the day. At night, they wake up to hunt insects. Image: Antonio Rodríguez Arduengo The Spear Point gets their name from their tiny little tail which looks like something someone dug up from an ancient battlefield. Image: Rob Meades Despite that miniature tail, the Spear Point Leaf Tail Gecko is the biggest species in Uroplatus. It still only reaches about 7.5 cm (3 in) long, though. That's probably a good thing... Image: Cédric de Foucault You wouldn't want a face like that looming over you!