Camouflaged gecko poses as a tree branch

Spot the lizard: The mossy leaftailed gecko is so well camouflaged he is virtually invisible

This is one animal you wouldn't want to play hide and seek with... the amazingly camouflaged gecko posing as a branch.

Stick to it and you might be able to see him, but this mossy leaftailed gecko is still hard to make out.

It's incredibly suited to its surroundings, seamlessly blending its mossy bark-like colouration into the jungle trees and branches.

Despite being barely visible to the human eye this master of disguise was spotted by wildlife photography couple Gregory and Mary Beth Dimijian.

The Texan pair caught the camouflaged critter on camera as they explored the Parc National de la Montagne d'Ambre, in Madagascar.

Gregory said they were extremely lucky to spot the gecko as they trekked through the dense jungle.

He said: 'It was only when he moved his head that we saw him, it was like watching a tree come alive.
'A mossy leaftailed gecko is almost invisible usually while resting on lichen-covered saplings and branches.


Can you see him? The gecko blends seamlessly with his surroundings - and was only spotted when he moved his head

'They are perfectly adapted to their habitat in the eastern forests of Madagascar and very difficult for predators to spot.

'As this one 'woke up' it moved its head, revealing the amazing moss-like fringe along the sides of its body which blurs the line between itself and its background.

'It is one of the most dramatic examples of camouflage that we have ever photographed.'

During the daylight hours mossy leaftailed geckos use their adaptations to help blend into its surroundings to avoid predators.

At night the gecko's bizarre markings allow it to hunt for prey by surprise.

Adults vary in size anywhere from 2.5 - 6 inches in length.
Ian Stephen, head of herpetology (reptiles and amphibians), at London Zoo said the images were incredible.

He said: 'They are the absolute masters of disguise, perfectly suited to camouflage.

'If you look at the side of the head, there is actually a growth like moss or lichen which perfectly mimics the background.

'It also blurs the outline of the head fooling humans and predators into thinking it is a branch.

'As a species they are endemic to Madagascar and they are much sought after by collectors.

'From the zoo perspective and conservation wise unfortunately this incredible camouflage has not protected them from the illegal wildlife trade.

'Thankfully that trade is being regulated now, but they also under threat habitat loss in Madagascar


source: dailymail