Lined Leaf Tail Gecko (Uroplatus lineatus)

Common Name: Lined Leaf Tail Gecko
Scientific Name: Uroplatus lineatus
Source: CB
Adult Size: Up to 28–30cm (11–12 inches) total length, making them the largest of the leaf tail geckos
Native Range: Northern and eastern Madagascar, particularly associated with bamboo forests and humid coastal rainforest

Enclosure: A minimum 60×60×90cm Viperia PVC vivarium for a single adult — this species is arboreal (tree-dwelling) and needs significant vertical height. Furnish densely with upright bamboo canes, cork bark tubes, and broad-leaved live or artificial plants to provide climbing routes and shelter. A deep leaf litter substrate helps maintain humidity and offers a naturalistic feel at lower levels.
Heating: Ambient (background) temperature of 22–26°C during the day, dropping to 18–20°C at night. This species does not bask in strong direct heat and should never be exposed to temperatures above 28°C.
Humidity: High humidity of 75–100% is essential, reflecting the damp rainforest conditions of their native Madagascar. Achieve this through a combination of regular misting (morning and evening), a moisture-retentive substrate such as coco fibre or sphagnum moss, and good ventilation to prevent stagnant air and bacterial build-up.
UVB: A 2.4% UVB tube positioned along the upper portion of the vivarium. Although U. lineatus is primarily nocturnal (active at night), low-level UVB exposure supports natural vitamin D₃ synthesis and overall wellbeing — a gentle, low-output tube is ideal for a species that avoids direct sunlight in the wild.
Diet: Insectivorous — they eat a variety of live insects including crickets, dubia roaches, waxworms, and appropriately sized locusts. Feed adults every 2–3 days, offering 4–6 prey items per feeding session. All feeder insects should be gut-loaded (fed nutritious food before offering) and lightly dusted with calcium and vitamin D3 supplement at most feedings, with a multivitamin supplement added once every week or two.

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The Lined Leaf Tail Gecko is a showstopper from the rainforests of Madagascar — an island renowned for producing some of the world's most extraordinary reptiles. Slender, elongated, and camouflaged to mimic bamboo stems and leaf litter, Uroplatus lineatus is the giant of the leaf tail gecko group and a genuinely awe-inspiring species to observe up close. Their cryptic (camouflage-based) appearance and alien-like features make them one of the most sought-after display geckos available in the hobby.

Lined Leaf Tails are best regarded as a display species rather than a hands-on pet — they are delicate, stress-sensitive, and thrive when given a well-planted, stable environment and minimal disturbance. They reward patient keepers with fascinating natural behaviours and are an excellent choice for intermediate to experienced reptile enthusiasts looking to keep something truly out of the ordinary.