Leaf Tailed Gecko Species: Every Uroplatus Kept as a Pet

There is no single “leaf tailed gecko.” The name covers the entire genus Uroplatus. Keepers regularly work with eight to ten of these species, plus a handful of rarer imports.

Each one differs in size, color, and how demanding it is to keep. All share the same flattened tail and dead leaf disguise. This guide covers the leaf tailed gecko species most likely to show up for sale, how to tell them apart, and the taxonomy and legal issues behind which ones a keeper can actually buy.

How Many Uroplatus Species Exist

When Madagascar proposed the genus for CITES listing in 2004, its proposal named ten described species: alluaudi, ebenaui, fimbriatus, guentheri, henkeli, lineatus, malama, malahelo, phantasticus and sikorae. The count has roughly doubled since then.

Uroplatus finaritra was described from Marojejy in 2019. Uroplatus fangorn and Uroplatus fivehy followed from northern Madagascar in 2020, both in the ebenaui group.

New species are still turning up in Madagascar’s forests, and older names are still being split apart or merged as genetic testing catches up with the field.

A 2022 genetic survey of eight Uroplatus species confirmed that every one tested is endemic to Madagascar and strictly nocturnal. It also found distinct chromosome counts between species that look almost identical to a keeper. Uroplatus ebenaui carries 38 chromosome pairs, the highest count recorded in the genus.

A population close to Uroplatus guentheri carries only 34 chromosome pairs. Researchers think it may be an entirely undescribed species. That kind of hidden diversity is why the species list is a moving target rather than a fixed count.

Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus)

The satanic leaf tailed gecko is the smallest and most widely kept member of the group. It is the one most people picture when they hear the name. Its tail is flattened and ragged edged to mimic a curled, decaying leaf, and its body color runs from tan and rust to near black.

It is the most common Uroplatus in the pet trade. That is largely because it breeds in captivity more reliably than most of its relatives.

A related species, Uroplatus finaritra, was only formally described from Madagascar’s Marojejy National Park in the 2020s. Its description in Zootaxa separates it from Uroplatus phantasticus by a larger body, a relatively shorter tail and dark red pigment inside the mouth. The two are still hard to tell apart without close inspection.

Researchers believe some geckos sold as extra large “satanics” are actually this newer species. The authors of the description asked that exported CITES animals carry their precise geographic origin within Madagascar for exactly this reason. Full care details for the satanic gecko live on the satanic leaf tailed gecko page.

Mossy Leaf Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus sikorae)

The mossy leaf tailed gecko is built to vanish against lichen covered bark rather than dead leaves. Its skin is mottled gray, green, and brown. Ragged skin flaps along the jaw and body break up its outline against tree trunks.

It sits in the middle of the size range for the genus. It is larger than the satanic species but smaller than the giants.

Taxonomy for this species is unsettled. Some classifications split off a near identical population as its own species, Uroplatus sameiti. Others still treat it as a subspecies of Uroplatus sikorae.

Keepers should expect to meet either name for what is functionally the same animal. This split is still debated among taxonomists rather than settled fact. The mossy leaf tailed gecko page covers the camouflage furnishings and humidity this species needs.

Giant Leaf Tailed Geckos (Uroplatus fimbriatus and Uroplatus giganteus)

Two species anchor the large end of the genus. Uroplatus fimbriatus, sometimes called the common giant or fringed leaf tailed gecko, and Uroplatus giganteus are both bulky, heavily fringed lizards. Both are built to blend into the trunks of large rainforest trees.

Both are considerably heavier bodied than the satanic or mossy species. They need proportionally larger, taller enclosures.

These are not beginner geckos. Their size makes them more food and space intensive. A larger share of the animals in the trade trace back to wild caught Madagascar stock than for Uroplatus phantasticus.

The giant leaf tailed gecko page covers the enclosure dimensions these species actually require.

Henkel’s Leaf Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus henkeli)

Henkel’s leaf tailed gecko sits between the mossy and giant species in size. It has a mottled bark pattern and a broader head than Uroplatus sikorae. It is one of the species genetically confirmed as endemic to Madagascar and nocturnal in the 2022 chromosome survey, alongside Uroplatus ebenaui, Uroplatus fimbriatus, and Uroplatus pietschmanni.

It is considered a step up in difficulty from the satanic species. It is more manageable than the true giants. That balance is why it shows up regularly at reptile shows and through specialist breeders rather than general pet stores.

Other Uroplatus Species in the Hobby

Several smaller and rarer species round out the trade. Uroplatus ebenaui is a small, spiny bodied species closely related to the satanic gecko in build. Uroplatus lineatus is a striped, mid sized species that mimics a leaf midrib rather than a curled dead leaf.

Uroplatus pietschmanni is an uncommon, moss patterned species restricted to a narrow part of eastern Madagascar. All three are less consistently captive bred than the satanic or mossy species.

Leaf Tailed Gecko Species Comparison

The table below lines up the species covered above by size, look, and difficulty for a keeper. The lengths come from Madagascar’s 2004 CITES proposal, which gives an approximate total length for five species and none for the rest. Cells marked “not given” have no official figure; hobby estimates exist but are not repeated here.

CITES Status and Conservation

Every Uroplatus species is native only to Madagascar. The entire genus is listed on CITES Appendix II, which controls how many wild animals can legally leave the country each year. Madagascar proposed the listing at the 13th Conference of the Parties in 2004, and its own CITES trade policy review names Uroplatus as one of the genera added to the Appendices under the country’s post 2003 wildlife trade reforms.

The 2004 proposal records how heavy the pre listing trade was. Between 2001 and 2003 Madagascar exported about 5,100 satanic geckos, 4,708 mossy geckos, 3,759 ebenaui, 3,532 fimbriatus, 3,392 henkeli and 2,333 lineatus, against only 37 alluaudi. None of the species had protected legal status in Madagascar at the time, and the proposal names commercial harvesting as a direct threat for most of them.

That same review notes that Madagascar restricted chameleon and day gecko exports in 1994. Commercial collecting pressure then shifted onto other taxa, including a documented rise in Uroplatus exports. Supply for less commonly bred species tightens or loosens with those export allowances, which is one reason captive bred satanic and mossy geckos are far easier to find than captive bred giants.

Habitat loss compounds the trade pressure. The recently described Uroplatus finaritra lives only in one national park. Researchers who described it flagged the pet trade as a threat even on protected land.

A Documented Health Risk Across the Genus

A published case report on captive bred satanic leaf tailed geckos documented severe degenerative muscle disease from inadequate calcium and vitamin supplementation. It was the first case of its kind recorded in the species. The animals responded once diet and supplementation were corrected.

That case is a reminder for anyone comparing species by looks alone. Every species in the genus depends on properly gut loaded, dusted feeder insects, not on species specific luck.

Choosing a Leaf Tailed Gecko Species

For a first leaf tailed gecko, the satanic and mossy species are the most forgiving. Captive bred stock is easiest to find for both, and both tolerate a slightly wider humidity range than the giants. Henkel’s gecko is a reasonable next step once a keeper has experience with the smaller species.

The true giants and rarer species such as Uroplatus lineatus and Uroplatus pietschmanni suit keepers who already understand nocturnal gecko husbandry. Whichever species a keeper picks, the day to day care overlaps heavily.

• The leaf tailed gecko overview is the best starting point for anyone new to the group.
• The leaf tailed gecko care guide covers the temperatures, humidity and handling rules shared across the genus.
• The diet page covers feeder insects and supplementation for all species.
• The housing page covers enclosure height, cork bark and ventilation.

Keepers comparing these against other arboreal geckos can check the broader gecko species guide. Color variation within a species, especially in the satanic gecko, comes from individual and regional variation rather than fixed genetic morphs.

Readers curious about that distinction can see how true morphs work on the morph genetics page.

For lizards outside the gecko family, the lizard species directory is the wider index.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many leaf tailed gecko species are kept as pets?

Roughly eight to ten Uroplatus species turn up regularly in the pet trade, led by the satanic and mossy species. Several giant and rare species make up the rest. The total described genus is larger and still growing as new species such as Uroplatus finaritra are found.

What is the most common leaf tailed gecko species for beginners?

The satanic leaf tailed gecko, Uroplatus phantasticus, is the most widely available and the most consistently captive bred. That makes it the usual starting point. The mossy leaf tailed gecko is the next most beginner friendly option.

Are Uroplatus sikorae and Uroplatus sameiti the same species?

Taxonomists disagree. Some classifications list sameiti as a full species separate from the mossy leaf tailed gecko. Others still treat it as a subspecies, Uroplatus sikorae sameiti, so both names can describe very similar looking animals.

Why are some leaf tailed gecko species harder to find than others?

CITES export limits on Madagascar wildlife and how reliably a species breeds in captivity both affect supply. Species like the giants and the rarer Uroplatus pietschmanni depend more on wild collected imports. Availability shifts with each year’s export allowances.

Is it legal to own a leaf tailed gecko?

Yes, in most places, but every Uroplatus species has been listed under CITES Appendix II since Madagascar proposed the genus in 2004. The entire genus is endemic to Madagascar and subject to trade controls. Buyers should ask for CITES paperwork on wild sourced animals and confirm local permit rules before buying.

What is the biggest leaf tailed gecko species?

Uroplatus giganteus and Uroplatus fimbriatus are the largest. Madagascar’s 2004 CITES proposal gives fimbriatus a total length of about 330 mm, or 13 inches. Giganteus was split from it after that proposal was written and has no official figure in it, though it is described as the larger of the two.