Günther's flat-tail gecko

Günther's flat-tail gecko (Uroplatus guentheri), also known commonly as Güenther's leaf-tail gecko, is a species of nocturnal gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

Günther's flat-tail gecko
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Gekkota
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Uroplatus
Species:	U. guentheri
Binomial name
Uroplatus guentheri Mocquard, 1908
Synonyms
Uroplatus Güntheri Mocquard, 1908 Uroplatus guentheri — Wermuth, 1965[2]

Etymology

The specific name, guentheri, is in honour of German-born British herpetologist Albert Günther.^[3]

Geographic range

U. guentheri is found in northwestern Madagascar in the area around Ankarafansika^[1] and near Morondava in western Madagascar.^{[citation needed]}

Description

U. guentheri reaches a total length (including tail) of 150 mm (5.9 in).^{[citation needed]}

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of U. guentheri is forest, at altitudes of 30–120 m (98–394 ft).^[1]

Behaviour

U. guentheri forages and roosts on small trees and bushes.^[1] It is generally found less than 6 m (20 ft) above the ground.^[1] It is very difficult to find during the day, using its camouflage to mimic dead branches and bits of bark. During the night however, it becomes active, hunting for invertebrate prey.^{[citation needed]}

Reproduction

U. guentheri is oviparous.^[1][2] The sperical eggs are laid in leaf litter.^[1]