Species Detail
Sorah Leaf-tailed Gecko
GeckosSub-species of Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko

Sorah Leaf-tailed Gecko

Uroplatus sameiti

Habitat

Humid lowland and mid-elevation rainforest of eastern Madagascar; rests head-down on lichen-covered trunks and branches, foraging for insects after dark.

Range

Eastern Madagascar (recorded around Sorah/Ivohibe and adjacent forest remnants).

Adult Size

6–8 in / 15–20 cm total length

Diet

Nocturnal insectivore — small arboreal insects such as crickets, moths, and roaches.

Find on MorphMarket
Conservation status:Data Deficient

About this species

A medium-sized, mossy-patterned leaf-tailed gecko long treated as a subspecies or close relative of Uroplatus sikorae (the mossy leaf-tailed gecko), sharing its grey-brown mottled, bark-mimicking skin and broad, leaf-shaped head. Smaller and more slender than sikorae, with subtle differences in scale counts and dermal flaps; nocturnal and arboreal, relying on crypsis against lichen-covered bark.

Enrichment & behavioral stimulation

Sorah Leaf-tailed Gecko is arboreal — enrichment focuses on vertical climbing, elevated feeding, and humidity-driven activity.

  • Provide tall vertical cork bark, bamboo, and diagonals to encourage climbing, clinging, and patrolling.
  • Add broad-leafed live or silk foliage and vines for resting, camouflage, and jumping routes.
  • Offer food on elevated feeding ledges at different heights to spread foraging across the enclosure.
  • Mist in the evening to prompt drinking, raise humidity, and trigger natural hunting activity.
  • Tuck small insects among foliage so the gecko stalks through the canopy.
  • Periodically reposition branches and foliage to create novel climbing paths.

Housing & Social Behavior

Variable

Best housed singly or in sexed pairs; monitor for combat during breeding season.

Housing guidance is general and based on species-typical behavior; always verify against current husbandry references and observe individual temperament.