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9 Animals That Look Like Leaves

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Written by
Melissa Petruzzello
Melissa Petruzzello is Assistant Managing Editor and covers a range of content including plants, algae, and fungi; insects and spiders; and renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles...
Melissa Petruzzello
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Mimicry, in which an organism resembles an unrelated species, is one of the great marvels of evolution. Leaf mimicry is an especially clever form of camouflage. For some animals, looking like a leaf serves as protection from hungry predators. For others, it is a useful way to wait in plain sight for unwitting prey. The adaptation is most common among insects but can also be found in reptiles, amphibians, and even fish! Here are nine amazing examples of leaf look-alikes from around the world.

  • Giant leaf insect

    Leaf insect (Phyllium giganteum) in Malaysia. Also called walking leaf. Mimicry camouflage
    Leaf insectGiant leaf insect (Phyllium giganteum) in Malaysia.
    © pe3check/stock.adobe.com

    Giant leaf insect (Phyllium giganteum), found throughout southeast Asia and parts of Australia.

  • Satanic leaf-tailed gecko

    Baweng satanic leaf gecko, or Eyelash leaf tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) close-up
    satanic leaf-tailed geckoSatanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus).
    © Valt Ahyppo/Shutterstock.com

    Satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus), indigenous to Madagascar.

  • Indian oakleaf butterfly

    Top view of Indian Oakleaf butterfly, Kallima inachus
    Indian oakleaf butterflyIndian oakleaf butterfly (Kallima inachus).
    © Nemorest/Dreamstime.com

    Indian oakleaf butterfly (Kallima inachus), native to tropical Asia.  

  • Malayan leaf frog

    Malayan Leaf Frog - Megophrys nasuta
    Malayan leaf frogMalayan leaf frog (Megophrys nasuta).
    © duelune/Fotolia

    Malayan leaf frog (Megophrys nasuta), endemic to the rainforests of the Malay Peninsula and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

  • Moss mantis

    Moss mantis (Haania confusa) insect on a leaf
    Moss mantisA camouflaged moss mantis (Haania confusa).
    © Simon Shim/Shutterstock.com

    Moss mantis (Haania confusa), native to Asia.

  • Dead-leaf grasshopper

    Dead-leaf Grasshopper (Chorotypus Chorotypus saussurei)
    dead-leaf grasshopperDead-leaf grasshopper (Chorotypus saussurei)
    Pavel Kirillov

    Dead-leaf grasshopper (Chorotypus saussurei), native to Malaysia. 

  • South American leaf fish

    South American Leaf Fish - Monocirrhus polyacanthus
    Leaf fishSouth American leaf fish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus).
    © Vladimir Wrangel/Shutterstock.com

    South American leaf fish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus), found in the Amazon River basin.  

  • Leaf katydid

    Leaf Katydid, Pycnopalpa bicordata is sitting on a leaf in the rainforest
    KatydidLeaf katydid (Pycnopalpa bicordata).
    © Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock.com

    Leaf katydid (Pycnopalpa bicordata), distributed throughout Central America and parts of Mexico and northern South America.

  • Dead-leaf moth

    Uropyia meticulodina is a species of moth of the Notodontidae family. It is found in China and Taiwan. It's wings bend and curl inward to resemble a leaf.
    leaf mimicryUropyia meticulodina, a leaf mimic moth.
    LiCheng Shih

    Uropyia meticulodina, native to China and Taiwan.