Madagascar is home to a diverse array of gecko species. Geckos are unique among lizards as they have the ability to stick to almost any surface! This is because gecko feet have special adaptations which are believed to generate attractive van der Waals forces between their toes and the surface they are on. Apparently, these forces are so strong that a gecko can support about eight times its weight hanging from just one toe on smooth glass! This is just one amazing gecko fact, read on to find out more about some of the incredible geckos that we photographed in Madagascar…
The most conspicuous geckos in Madagascar are the luminous-green Day Geckos. As their name suggests, these geckos are diurnal. Different species range in size from around 7cm up to 30cm. We dedicated a whole day to photographing them in the area around Amber Mountain National Park.
We particularly enjoyed focusing in on their beautiful abstract back patterns…
We found the day geckos were quite skittish and therefore a challenge to photograph. However, Madagascar has another group of geckos where just managing to spot one is challenging enough! Can you see the leaf-tailed gecko in the photograph below?
Well done if you spotted the gecko camouflaged against the tree trunk! If you didn’t, click here to reveal it. Leaf-tailed geckos are true masters of camouflage! They can change their colour to blend in perfectly with the tree they are on. They also have frills to break up their outline. We were never able to spot them in the gloomy rainforest, but our guide had an extraordinary ability to spot them from up to 10m away… apparently, the trick is to look out for the telltale shape of their eyes.
The leaf-tailed geckos shown above are all Uroplatus Sikorae. There are several other species of leaf-tailed gecko that have different strategies for blending in. The Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus Phantasticus), for example, resembles dried leaves. We found this one while it was out hunting at night…
Aren’t leaf-tailed geckos just the most amazing animals?!
Unfortunately many of Madagascar’s unique geckos are under threat from habitat loss and over-collection for the pet trade.
Please visit our Gecko gallery for more pictures of these remarkable creatures.
That camouflaged gecko is amazing! How did you find it?
Beautiful photographs! 🙂
I did not know that about geckos! Excellent information.
I thought I had swpotted the leaf tailed gecko but wanted to see a close up, When I clicked to reveal it, what I though I had sotted as the lt gecko, was in fact.. just leaves. That guy is amazing! Crazeee camo! WOW!
I don’t follow many blogs consistently, but I thoroughly enjoy getting your newsletter in my inbox. The photos are always exquisite and unique and just a pleasure to pour over. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks guys 🙂
Your gecko photos are stunning, the colours absolutely zing my eyes. Awesome work
I was last in Madagascar in 2001, and miss it very much. After a week or so in the rainforest, I was finally getting my eyes attuned to look for these Uroplatus geckos. All that skill is long-gone now though! Great photos and jealousy-inducing
Thanks guys 🙂
Good job thank you.
Tadeusz.
That was AMAZING!!!! So FUN!!!
OMG the geko is soooooo long lolz
I found and shot a gecko , but at night. Had to search for a bit before I could find it!
Here’s one of the pictures:
http://i48.tinypic.com/16j7o8.jpg
This is from Andasibe.
awesome shots! Uroplatus geckos are so cool!