Mount Francais Leaf-toed Gecko

P. lohatsara grow into their colors; as juveniles, they have brownish heads, black and white bands down their bodies, and a striped, orangey tail. As they mature, their coloration changes - the bands break up along their bodies, turning them into animals with a primarily light (yellowish) base color and black spotting. Oftentimes, the spotting will retain some semblance of striping, though it may tend to shift towards more lengthwise patterning. Adults of this species generally reach an approximate length of five to six inches. While they are labeled as primarily terrestrial animals, they have been observed in the wild on boulders and branches up to two meters off the ground. The pads of their toes allow them to adhere and climb to the sides of their terrariums in captivity, particularly as youngsters, though as their size and weight increases with age they seem to prefer foliage and other available areas for climbing. Both adults and juveniles are active at night, and this species is considered to be nocturnal. Sexual maturity is reached at approximately one year of age; males display a hemipenal bulge near their vent, whereas females lack hemipenes and as such this bulge is absent.

This species is native to northern Madagascar, where it has been observed in Montagne des Français between the elevations of 140 and 320 m asl. It is found in old growth forest and does not seem to adapt to forest degradation.