Geckos
Satanic leaf-tailed gecko care guide
Uroplatus phantasticus
A tiny, leaf-mimicking Madagascan gecko. Cool, humid and delicate — advanced.
Arboreal — vertical height first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Satanic leaf-tailed gecko enclosure size
Arboreal — vertical height first. An adult satanic leaf-tailed gecko should live in at least 12" L × 12" W × 18" H; we build toward 18" L × 18" W × 24" H (1.5 × 1.5 × 2 ft, roughly 2.3 sq ft of floor and about a 34-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 12" L × 12" W × 18" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 18" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 18" H
Temperature and heating
Usually no added heat needed; keep below 80°F — overheating is the main risk.
- Basking / warm surface
- 72–78°F (no basking spot)
- Warm side (ambient)
- 72–76°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 68–72°F
- Night
- 62–68°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Low-level UVB beneficial but not strictly required. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 70–90%. Heavy evening misting with good airflow.
Substrate and depth
Bioactive soil with leaf litter. Depth: 2–3 in.
Diet and feeding
Small dusted insects (crickets, roaches) every 2–3 days.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Branches and foliage for climbing and cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Satanic leaf-tailed gecko FAQ
How big should an adult Satanic leaf-tailed gecko enclosure be?
At least 12" L × 12" W × 18" H, and we recommend building to 18" L × 18" W × 24" H — about 1.5 × 1.5 × 2 ft, or a 34-gallon glass equivalent. Arboreal — vertical height first.
What temperatures does a Satanic leaf-tailed gecko need?
Basking or warm surface 72–78°F (no basking spot), warm side 72–76°F, cool side 68–72°F, night 62–68°F. Usually no added heat needed; keep below 80°F — overheating is the main risk.
Does a Satanic leaf-tailed gecko need UVB?
Low-level UVB beneficial but not strictly required. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Satanic leaf-tailed gecko need?
70–90%. Heavy evening misting with good airflow.
What substrate is best for a Satanic leaf-tailed gecko?
Bioactive soil with leaf litter, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does a Satanic leaf-tailed gecko enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own satanic leaf-tailed gecko record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.