The Art of Camouflage As Monty Python pointed out so wisely way back when, the objective of practici
The Art of CamouflageAs Monty Python pointed out so wisely way back when, the objective of practicing this art is not to be seen (don’t hide behind a bush is my suggestion) and the wonderful named satanic leaf tailed gecko (aka Uroplastus (flat tail) phantasticus) is a master of the subject. As you can see from the photo it masquerades as a dead rotting and insect nibbled leaf, hanging off trees and branches awaiting unwary insects that might fly a little too close to its jumping tongue. It is endemic (ie only found in) to eastern Madagascan forests, where it lurks amongst the canopy, hunting at night. They come in a variety of colours, but are usually a mottled brown or orange, though they have a bright red mouth to scare off any predators that see through their disguise. Size is 5 to 20 cm long. They are under threat from habitat loss and hunting (since they are a popular pet), though they also survive in 3 national parks on the island. All 10 species of the genus are close to the top of the WWF list of species under threat from the illegal wild animal trade, and it is protected and banned from trade under the CITES treaty..LozImage credit: Piotr Nasrecki/Corbishttp://bit.ly/1VlOM3Dhttp://bit.ly/1lLKc2q -- source link
#gecko#lizard#camouflage#science#evolution#madagascar#forest#uroplastus