Living in the forest, an excellent camouflage is indeed useful. For reptiles like geckos, nothing could be better than camouflage that keeps them safe against predators while helping them hunt their own food.
The leaf-tail gecko or flat-tailed gecko is a group of geckos that are endemic to Madagascar and its coastal islands. The characteristics of these geckos are very distinct: when they're in trees, their body coloration and rugged skin will perfectly resemble the bark, making them virtually invisible.
The color of leaf-tail gecko could match the trunk or leaves perfectly. /VCG Photo
There are currently 18 recognized species of this genus, showing two variations of tree-like camouflage: the leaf form and the bark form. Due the difference in length, leaf-tail geckos evolved the best form of camouflage as they generally stay on tree trunks or on dead leaves.
The commonly known leaf-tail gecko with the leaf form camouflage is the satanic leaf-tailed gecko. It is a small gecko and can be up to 90 millimeters in size including the tail, thus when it is hiding itself in leaves, the colors and patterns of its body can perfectly match its surroundings.
Satanic leaf-tailed gecko in Madagascar. /VCG Photo
Usually the larger species of leaf-tail gecko will spend most of the daytime hanging on tree trunks. For smaller species like the satanic leaf-tailed gecko, bushes and small trees with more leaves and twigs are better resting places. At night, they will hunt for insects and the camouflage is beneficial when they are approaching prey.
Leaf-tail gecko hanging upside down on tree trunk for a daydream. /VCG Photo
Currently, leaf-tail geckos are facing a series of threats including habitat loss and trafficking. Illegal trade of geckos has caused a rapid rate of population decrease.
About the 'Disguise in Nature' series
Camouflage and mimicry are two ways for creatures to disguise themselves. Disguises can either help them escape danger, or make them perfect predators when hunting for food.
In this series, we are going to look at several species that are masters of disguise. For each article, there will be a game of hide and seek with the introduced species.
Read more from the 'Disguise in Nature' series:
Disguise in Nature: The colorful 'kung fu masters'
Disguise in Nature: The 'ninja' in sea
(Cover image via VCG, designed by CGTN's Gao Hongmei.)
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)