GGA Cares for ... Uroplatus henkeli

Reprinted from “Chit Chat ” the Newsletter of the Global Gecko Association Vol1#2 ©1998

Common Name: Henkel’s Leaf-Tailed Gecko

Scientific Name: Uroplatus henkeli Bohme and Ibisch, 1990

Description:

U. henkeli has a snout-vent length in the range of 120-160mm and a tail length of 72-100mm. The coloring is extremely variable; many have a plain beige or greyish background color with black cross-banding  whilst occasional animals are almost white with chocolate colored banding. Animals from the mainland Madagascan population are often the more colorful specimens. There is a limited ability to change color depending on mood or changes in temperature or lighting. This gecko has a large triangular head, prominent eyes that have a pink polka-dot appearance, long slender limbs, flaps of skin around the edges of the head and body, a long, broad, flat tail, well developed sub-digital lamellae and an absence of preanal or femoral pores. Henkel’s Leaf-Tailed Gecko is one of 10 species currently recognised within the genus Uroplatus. It was only described as separate from U. fimbriatus, to which it is very similar, in 1990.

Distribution:

A limited range within northern mainland Madagascar and on the island of Nosy Be.

Natural History:

Like all Leaf-Tail species, Henkel’s inhabits rainforest. It is strictly nocturnal, spending the day resting head-downwards on a tree trunk or branch, relying on its superb camouflage for safety. They neither venture high up into the trees nor, generally, down to the ground.

Housing in Captivity:

The tank to house a pair or trio (1 male and 2 females), should be of adequate dimensions, but at least 24 inches tall. A naturalistic set-up is ideal with vertical and horizontal branches of approximately 2 inches diameter, cork bark, real or plastic plants and a potting compost substrate. Drinking water should be available at all times.

Humidity should be maintained at 70-80% by regular misting of the tank. Temperatures must be adequately controlled as you are more likely to kill your animal through prolonged exposure to too much heat rather than not enough. A daytime temperature of 75°F to 85°F is ideal. A slight fall at night is appropriate.

Food and Feeding:

Sub-adult locusts and large black crickets are avidly consumed by my own animals. Cockroaches and snails are other food items commonly accepted. Some keepers prefer to present food in a container lined with sponge to lessen possible damage to the snout of their animals. Henkel’s have a reputation for lunging at their prey very forcefully. However, I prefer to cast my insect fare into the tank to be hunted down naturally. I feed my animals twice weekly.

Health:

Wild caught Henkel’s are often imported in poor condition - stressed, dehydrated and carrying a high parasite load. An early visit to a vet with knowledge of reptiles is strongly recommended. It is better to purchase a captive-bred animal. Once established, Henkel’s Leaf-Tail has the deserved reputation as the hardiest of the Uroplatus in captivity, when maintained appropriately.

If kept at too low a humidity there will be shedding problems, especially under the toes where dry skin will build up over a period. This problem can be dealt with by soaking the gecko in lukewarm water. However, stress can be caused by handling and prevention is better than cure. Also keep a regular eye open for damage to the snout.

There remains a debate amongst Uroplatus keepers as to whether full-spectrum lighting, combined with supplements containing vitamin D3 can actually be harmful to these geckos by causing hypocalcemia, a deficiency of body calcium. Serious research is required in this area. From a personal perspective I have successfully maintained and bred U. henkeli with the addition of full-spectrum lighting and with dusting the insect prey offered with a quality reptile vitamin powder containing D3 every second feeding. Whilst this may now be an accepted approach, if your animal exhibits fine muscle tremors, multiple fractures, lethargy (more than normal!) or the laying of soft eggs, then suspect hypocalcemia and take your gecko directly to a vet. A course of neocalglucon will likely be prescribed.

The structure of the Uroplatus tail is such that if it is dropped, this is always the whole tail rather than just a part. Regenerated tails are never as attractive as the originals.

Breeding:

It is difficult to sex these geckos until they are approximately six months of age. Adult males are easy to identify due to the extremely swollen hemipenal area. Two eggs of around 17mm diameter are laid in the substrate, normally in a secluded spot. The eggs are not normally completely buried. Eggs laid attached to branches or the side of the tank are never fertile. Incubation in moist vermiculite at 78°F leads to hatching in around 85 to 95 days. Hatchlings are approximately 60mm in length. Raising the young can be a painstaking process. They should be kept individually and offered hatchling crickets, if necessary, by using tweezers to offer the prey direct. A small amount of fruit baby food, I use banana flavor, mixed with vitamins, placed onto the snout of a hatchling will be licked off. This helps in ensuring the intake of some essential nourishment. They dehydrate and die very quickly if kept too hot or dry.

GGA Rating:

3 - For Experienced Keepers Only.

Recommended Reading:

“The Natural History, Care and Breeding of Leaf-Tailed Geckos (Genus Uroplatus) - Parts 1 and 2”. Reptilian magazine Vol. 5 Nos. 6 and 7. John Rudge

“The Demons of Madagascar: Leaf-Tailed Geckos of the Genus Uroplatus”. Reptiles magazine Vol.5 No. 5 Robert Baldwin

“Leaf-Tailed Geckos: Some Notes on the Maintenance and Reproduction of Uroplatus henkeli (Bohme and Ibisch)”. Dactylus Vol. 1 No. 4 R. Michael Burger

“Studien an Uroplatus. 1. Der Uroplatus-fimbriatus-Komplex”. Salamandra Vol. 26 No. 4 Wolfgang Bohme and Pierre Ibisch

John Rudge