Gallery: Absurd Creature of the Week: Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko Wears the World's Most Unbelievable Camo

  • Image may contain Animal Reptile Sea Life Turtle Plant Leaf Invertebrate and Insect
    Piotr Naskrecki / Corbis
    01

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    The incredible satanic leaf-tailed gecko does a spot-on impression of a leaf. "Thank you, thank you," the gecko says. "I'll be here for the three to five years of my expected lifespan."
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    Frank Glaw
    02

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

    The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is a nocturnal species, so bring a flash. Or don't. I'm a writer, not a photographer.
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    Frank Glaw
    03

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

    Another shot of the gecko, showing the characteristic chunks missing from its tail, which imitates a rotting leaf.
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    Frank Glaw
    04

    Uroplatus-phantasticus-2010-DSC3065-xx4

    The satanic leaf-tailed gecko gets its name from Satan, who many believe is a gecko.
  • Image may contain Animal Reptile Lizard and Gecko
    Frank Glaw
    05

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

    A mossy leaf-tailed gecko, a related species.
  • Image may contain Animal Reptile Lizard and Gecko
    Frank Glaw
    06

    Uroplatus-phantasticus-ohne-Fundort-Marozevo-IMG-0350-xx7

    Different kinds of leaf-tailed geckos blend into different parts of trees, from leaves to branches to trunks. This is what a leaf-tailed gecko looks like on a rock, which has and never will be part of a tree.
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