Geckos are fascinating creatures that move quickly and stealthily in the wild. This makes it hard to spot them and notice their behavior, such as the way they lick their eyes. Check out this video by Ryan M. Bolton of a satanic leaf-tailed gecko licking its eyeball, and keep reading to learn why this creature does what it does.
About the Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko
With a name as shocking as “satanic,” these geckos present quite an intimidating front! Their scientific name is Uroplatus phantasticus. The generic name uroplatus means “flat-tailed,” and phantasticus means “imaginary,” referring to the geckos’ surreal appearance. These geckos are endemic to Madagascar, meaning you cannot find them anywhere else in the world. On average, satanic leaf-tailed geckos grow 3.5 to 4 inches long. The geckos’ small size, along with their amazing camouflage, allows them to hide from predators. Their tails look like fallen or dead leaves, allowing them to blend in anywhere from tree branches to the rainforest floor.
Satanic leaf-tailed geckos have a thin, clear membrane called a “brille,” which is the German word for “spectacle.”
©Jiri Balek/Shutterstock.com
Satanic leaf-tailed geckos are nocturnal, which means they are mostly active at night. Under the dark of night, they primarily hunt insects. When faced with predators like birds, snakes or rats, their camouflage and flat bodies are extremely helpful for hiding.
Why Do Geckos Lick Their Eyes?
The reason satanic leaf-tailed geckos lick their eyes is because, like the majority of gecko species, they do not have eyelids. Without eyelids, they cannot blink to keep their eyes clean and moist. Instead, their eyes have a thin, clear membrane called the “brille,” a German word for “spectacle.” This protects their eyes from damage. However, the only way geckos can properly clean their eyes is by licking them. Much like a car’s windshield wipers, geckos use their tongues to wipe away any dirt or dust that may be obstructing their vision. The moisture from their tongues also prevents their eyes from drying out. This is just one of the many characteristics that make geckos unique and interesting to learn about.
