Satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus)

Short answers

Satanic leaf-tailed gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

~45×45×60 cm for one animal (height matters, densely planted).

Satanic leaf-tailed gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–25 °C, basking spot No classic basking spot; a slightly warmer branch at 27–29 °C is entirely sufficient — no more than that, at night 18–22 °C (never permanently above 26–28 °C).

Satanic leaf-tailed gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Low-output UVB is part of it, not optional: UV index 1–2 at the resting branch (Ferguson zone 1–2), lighting for 12 hours a day.

Satanic leaf-tailed gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: about 10 years, up to 15 years with good care (captive-bred animals live considerably longer than wild-caught ones).

Satanic leaf-tailed gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–25 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C (never permanently above 26–28 °C)

Basking spot

No classic basking spot; a slightly warmer branch at 27–29 °C is entirely sufficient — no more than that

Humidity

70–80 % by day, up to ~100 % at night (misting or rain system)

UVB

Low-output UVB is part of it, not optional: UV index 1–2 at the resting branch (Ferguson zone 1–2), lighting for 12 hours a day

Enclosure

Minimum size

~45×45×60 cm for one animal (height matters, densely planted)

Substrate

Damp bioactive substrate (coco or pine bark, leaf litter), live plants, isopods and springtails

Feeding

Food

Smaller insects (crickets, house crickets, flies, small locusts); calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

~9–11 cm total length (the smallest Uroplatus species)

Life expectancy

about 10 years, up to 15 years with good care (captive-bred animals live considerably longer than wild-caught ones)

Origin

Eastern to southeastern Madagascar, montane rainforests in the highlands

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B (Uroplatus spp. since 2005); proof of origin + registration requirement.

Brumation

No real winter dormancy, but a cooler season from about November to February: around 22 °C in the daytime, 12–15 °C at night, lighting shortened to 8 hours

Cohabitation

Keep them singly or as a pair (1.1); NEVER keep males together (largely solitary, and territorial in the mating season)

Notes

A very small, delicate animal – set it up as a bioactive, densely planted mini ecosystem. Critical: high night-time humidity plus drying out by day; avoid heat and waterlogging. Wild-caught animals are often weakened.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) currently offered

• Uroplatus fiera – Lippstadt · 200 €

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Related species

• Alluaud's leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus alluaudi) – Expert
• Ebenau's leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus ebenaui) – Intermediate to expert
• Finiavana leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus finiavana) – Intermediate
• Common flat-tail gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus) – Intermediate to expert
• Günther's leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus guentheri) – Expert
• Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus henkeli) – Expert
• Pietschmann's leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus pietschmanni) – Expert
• Lined leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus lineatus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (~45×45×60 cm for one animal (height matters, densely planted)), substrate (Damp bioactive substrate (coco or pine bark, leaf litter), live plants, isopods and springtails), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.