Awesome Image Of Lizard Disguised As Autumn Leaf!

This amazing creature, which is known as a Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus), has blended itself into its surroundings so well that its coil-shaped body is hard to spot in the middle of the foliage. Its body is twisted into a corkscrew shape, camouflaging its outstanding leaf-shaped tail against the brown leaves. This awesome picture was taken at the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park in Madagascar, off the eastern coast of Africa.

The species is endemic to Madagascar and are found nowhere else. Their given name is because of their apparent ´horns´ and some species red eyes. The skin can occur in a variety of colors, ranging through orange, brown, yellow or green. Inactive during the day, they hunt for insects including crickets and moths during the night. Geckos are pretty much impossible to see when at rest on a mossy or lichen covered branch. They can flatten themselves to the branch, creating a perfect match to their environment and avoiding any shadow being cast. Modified scales form an uneven edge to the body that blends in nearly seamlessly with the bark. When bothered, larger members of the species tend to stand up, open mouthed and let out a large hiss. The geckos are adapted to life in a rainforest and their camouflage is so good that species and sub-species are still being discovered.

Image and Info: http://www.telegraph.co.uk