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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The leaf-tailed gecko family has nine members ranging in size from 30cm to 8cm. This cryptic gecko has excellent camouflage skills making it “blend” in to its natural environment of the rainforests of Madagascar. Larger members of the genus have beards and fringes around the whole body. When at rest laying head down on a mossy or lichen covered branch are almost impossible to see, the beard and fringes are flattened to the branch creating a perfect match and avoiding any shadow being cast. Small members have tails mimicking leaves, bodies resemble dead leaves and twigs. Overall this species is a master at disguise. Large eyes help this nocturnal species hunt its prey, large mouths are capable of tackling oversized prey. The common leaf-tailed gecko has more teeth than any other lizard on earth. After a night’s hunting an individual will often return to the same resting place, reports of lichen covered branches with bare patches where the geckos rest are reported. Colour change is possible and most dramatic at night, some specimens can be stunning in colours of lichen and mosses from pinks to oranges, on the other hand some can be dull patterns of browns.
This species is totally adapted to life in a primary rainforest, so cryptic are their disguises species and sub-species are still being discovered today. The locals are afraid of them and refer to them as the devil. When disturbed larger members of the species especially Uroplatus fimbriatus stand up open mouthed and let out a large hiss, to an observer I can imagine a branch “coming to life” and hissing at you would be disturbing. |
taba, gerbilratz, batu has marked this note useful
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- taba
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 455 W: 126 N: 258]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(1438) - [2007-10-13 10:09]
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Hi Paul
what eyes!
good capture of this gecko...
I like the DOF you got that determine the point of focus on the leaser's head and in the eyes.
fine details, colors and POV.
well done.
Taba
hi Paul...great looking gecko...that's a serious eye he's got..he looks almost velvety!!..nice one!
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- batu
(10072)
- [2007-10-13 11:56]
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Hello Paul,
thank you for continuing your series on the unique animals from Madagascar. I like to see the specimens in their natural environment where it is often not so easy to obtain a suitable picture. This is particularly true for species living in the understory of the rain forest. So, I also admire this picture of a gecko and appreciate it as a very valuable nature document.
Best wishes, Peter
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- lousat
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 794 W: 5 N: 2035]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(7703) - [2007-10-13 15:52]
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woow fantastic shot,the eyes are incredibles,thanks for share,Luciano
![Silver Note Writer [C: 0 W: 0 N: 24]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/n-n-s.gif){kind=small}