Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko
Uroplatus sikorae
Silhouette: Steven Traver · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyGekkonidae (Typical Geckos)
- GenusUroplatus (Madagascar Leaf-tailed Geckos)
- SpeciesUroplatus sikorae (Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko)
About the Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko
Uroplatus sikorae, commonly referred to as the mossy leaf-tailed gecko or the southern flat-tail gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar. It is a CITES II protected animal due to habitat loss.
The specific name, sikorae, is a Latinization of the surname of Franz Sikora, an Austrian fossil-hunter and explorer of Madagascar. The species was first described by German zoologist Oskar Boettger but not published until three years after his death. Its common name refers to the mossy-like camouflage patterns and colors of the lizard's skin. The whole complex of U. sikorae is in need of taxonomic revision and probably contains numerous new, undescribed species.
The genus Uroplatus contains 14 species endemic to Madagascar. The species Uroplatus sameiti was considered to be a subspecies of U. sikorae until 2007, when it was proposed to be elevated to species level on the basis of its pale oral mucosa, in contrast to the dark oral mucosa of U. sikorae. Subsequent publications have maintained this separate status, which has now also been verified molecularly. However, in the most recent review of the taxonomy of... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko in Ranomafana National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Ranomafana National Park
Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko
Uroplatus phantasticus
Southeastern Lowland Leaf-tailed Gecko
Uroplatus sameiti
Peacock Day Gecko
Phelsuma quadriocellata
Striped Day Gecko
Phelsuma lineata
Mutilating Gecko
Gehyra mutilata
Farquhar Half-toed Gecko
Hemidactylus mercatorius
Boettger's Clawless Gecko
Ebenavia boettgeri
Lesser Madagascar Day Gecko
Phelsuma parva
Seven-bump Dwarf Gecko
Lygodactylus miops
Flathead Leaf-toed Gecko
Hemidactylus platycephalus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ranomafana National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko in Ranomafana National Park?
About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko sighting in Ranomafana National Park, based on 36 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko in Ranomafana National Park?
May has the highest sighting rate for Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko in Ranomafana National Park in our monthly data.