Common Leaf-tailed Gecko

The common leaf-tailed gecko, also called the common flat-tail gecko, is a large nocturnal lizard endemic to Madagascar, found in the east of the island and on the islands of Nosy Boraha and Nosy Mangabe, first described in 1797. It reaches a total length of about 330 millimeters and has fringed skin and eyes far more sensitive to light than a human's, allowing it to see color even at night. By day it presses itself against a small tree trunk and rests head down, relying on camouflage, and when disturbed it raises its tail and head, opens its mouth and screams; it is classified as Least Concern though threatened by habitat destruction and the illegal wildlife trade.