Uroplatus garamaso
Mina
Uroplatus garamaso, or "Garamaso Leaf-Tailed Gecko", is one of many amazing Malagasy leaf-tail species. This species was classified as "Uroplatus henkeli afferent " or "Candidate 11" until 2023, when it finally determine to be genetically distinct enough from U henkeli to be named its own species.
Mina is captive bred and was hatched in September 2022 by Stardust Scales. Like all leaf-tails, she prefers to be left alone. She is not a biter and tolerates limited handling well. Her amazing coloration and great blending abilities, along with her active personality, has made her a fast favorite. Mina is named after the main female character in Brahm Stoker's "Dracula", as we initially planned to breed her with Dracul. This plan has changed in an effort to keep species lines separate.
​
Interested in keeping a Garamaso leaf-tail? Below are general parameters for making your gecko comfortable. For more information, Extant Relatives recommends Reptifile's detailed care sheets.
​
Lifespan: 10 years
Cage Size: Minimum 18" x 18" x 36" (High rather than wide)
Day/Night Hours: 12/12 OR 14/10 (Summer) to 10/14 (Winter)
Active times: Most active at night
Day temps: 75-80 F
Hot Spot: 90 F
Night temps: 70 F
Daytime humidity: 60%
Nighttime humidity: 80%
UVB: Low
Substrate: Organic topsoil or coconut fiber with peat moss
Diet: Insects only
Decor: Arboreal - Heavily decorated with vertical and horizontal branches, live or artificial plants.
​
Our setup: ExRe houses adult U garamaso in 30 gal/gecko minimum, vertically-oriented enclosures. These arboreal reptiles spend most of their time laying flat against a branch, vine, or side of the terrarium. Their enclosure floor consists of cocofiber substrate, a soaking/drinking bowl, and an isopod clean-up crew. Larger plants like monstera are mixed in with smaller plants like pothos, snake plants, and peace lilies. Enclosures are misted 3 times daily to maintain a general humidity of around 60%. Temperatures range from 70F at the bottom of the enclosure to 85F at the top. They use the full range of their enclosures to regulate their temperature and hydration. Two puck lights provides enough light for their plants and their day/night cycle. We also use 6% T5 UVB bulbs with U garamaso, though we have also had success using supplementation instead of UVB. ExRe's U garamaso dine on a staple diet of 6 large, gut-loaded, vitamin- and mineral-dusted crickets twice per week. We also add dubia roaches, mealworms, waxworms, or silkworms every other week for enrichment.