Description:
Scientific name: Uroplatus ebenaui
Life span: 3-5 years in the wild, 10 – 15 in captivity.
A member of the family Gekkonidae, Uroplatus ebenaui is sometimes referred to as Ebenau’s leaf-tailed gecko, the Nosy Be flat-tail gecko, and the spearpoint leaf-tail gecko. They range in hue from dark chocolate brown to lighter tan, and are camouflaged to resemble dead or dried leaves. Some people could also have crimson, burgundy, or orange skin. All have little fleshy protrusions that stick out from their bodies, and the most have a reticulated pattern on them to some extent.
Native Region/Habitat
On Nosy Bé island, in eastern and northern Madagascar, and at elevations ranging from sea level to 500 m, U. ebenaui can be found (1,600 ft). Both dry deciduous woodlands and tropical rain forests are home to U. ebenaui.
Behavior:
U. ebenaui spends its nights under trees. This gecko sleeps during the day and feeds on insects at night. In addition, it hides with the bark while sleeping flat against tree trunks.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Keeping: The adults keep in terrariums that measure 19*30*20 cm (7,4*11,8*7,8 in). Infants are housed in terrariums or 25*25*25 cm (5,9*5,9*5,9 in) plastic lunch boxes. The terrarium is decorated with thin, horizontal and vertical branches, lianas, and real or synthetic plants. Little chunks of crushed bark with a coating of dried oak leaves make up the substrate. A decent alternative to substrate would be paper towels.
Temperature: The temperature is 24–25 °C during the day and 19–21 °C at night. Only during the winter months is heating with a 40W incandescent lamp used to maintain daytime temperature. We don’t use a heating source throughout the breeding season. UVB is crucial for productive reproduction.
Humidity: The humidity is twice sprayed throughout the day to keep it between 60 and 75 percent.
Diet: Turkestan cockroaches, Jamaican field crickets, and Mediterranean field crickets are all part of the adult diet. Soft-shelled snails and locusts are given 1-2 times each month as extra food and treats. However, provide 1-2 times every week 2-3 insects per head. Feeding is cut to once every two weeks if the animal exhibits signs of obesity.
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