Scale Bellied Tree Lizard, Acanthosaurus lepidogaster (Cuvier 1829). Photographed in Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, Phitsanulok Provice, Thailand. The lizard, presumably a juvenile, was in a forest-edge situation and about 50 cm off the ground. This insectivore reaches a total length of 270 mm. It is widespread in Indochina, ranges into southern China, and occurs on the island of Hainan. It has also been placed in the genera Calotes and Goniocephalus. For more photos and information on Acanthosaura click on the photo.
The Change Lizard, Calotes versicolor (Daudin, 1802). Both of these adult males were photographed near Ban Tha Hin, in the Lake Songhkla area, southern Thailand. Change Lizards are common and widespread, ranging from Afghanistan and Iran east to India, and most of mainland Southeast Asia. They may be found from sea level to at least 1400 meters. Their body reaches about 140 mm in length, and males are larger than females in the populations studied. They feed on insects and plants, and lay 6-14 eggs, that hatch in 42-67 days. For more photos and information on Calotes click on the photo.
The Rhinoceros Horned Lizard, Ceratophora stoddartii(Daudin, 1802). Photographed in Sri Lanka (upper photo) this individual is a juvenile. Change Lizards are common and widespread, ranging from Afghanistan and Iran east to India, and most of mainland Southeast Asia. They may be found from sea level to at least 1400 meters. Their body reaches about 140 mm in length, and males are larger than females in the populations studied. They feed on insects and plants, and lay 6-14 eggs, that hatch in 42-67 days.
A juvenile Rhinoceros Horned Lizard, Ceratophora stoddartii Gray, 1834. Photographed in Sri Lanka at the Tangamalai Nature Reserve. This juvenile was sleeping on the vegetation about a meter off the ground. Rhinoceros Horned Lizards move slowly while hunting invertebrates on the forest floor. Clutches of 2-5 eggs are laid in July. Adult males have long horns, while females and juvenile males have shorter rostral appendages.
The Pygmy Lizard, Cophotis ceylanica Peters, 1861, Sri Lanka. Adults have a body length of about 60 mm. Photograph of a captive animal in Sri Lanka. Young are born in litters of 4 or 5. The Pygmy Lizard inhabits montane rainforests and is endemic to Sri Lanka. Its reproductive habits are unknown, but it has been suggested that it may be viviparous.
The Frilled Dragon, Chlamydosaurus kingii Gray, 1825. Photograph of a captive specimen. Frilled Dragons inhabit northern and eastern Australia from Brisbane to Western Australia. Adults reach a body length of 285 mm. They inhabit tropical woodlands and are often seen perched 1-2 m above the ground. The distinctive frilled collar may be 30 cm across, and is used in a defense display.
A flying lizard Draco sp., from southern Thailand. All of the species of Draco have a wing-like membrane supported by the last 5-7 ribs. This is not a modified limb as is found in birds or bats, so it is not considered to be a true wing. Instead it is called a patagium. Draco tend to be diurnal lizards that eat mostly ants. At first sight they may be mistaken for butterflies as they glide from tree trunk to tree trunk. Flying lizards have considerable control over their flight, being able to steer, and they loose little altitude while gliding between tree trunks. Females go to the forest floor to lay their eggs, that are usually few in number. For more information on Draco click on the photo to go to the Draco Page
Giant Angle Headed Lizard, Gonocephalus grandis (Gray, 1845). Photographed in the Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia (Island of Borneo). Males attain a body length of about 160 mm, and a total length of about 365 mm; females are smaller. This is a juvenile. They inhabit stream edges running through rainforest. These are semiaqutic lizards, they will not hesitate to jump into the water to escape potential predators, but they are often on tree trunks or in bushes.
Striped Water Dragon, Swamplands Lashtail, or Northern Water Dragon, Lophognathus temporalis Gunther, 1867. Photograph of a captive specimen. Ranges from Indonesia (Irian Jaya, New Guinea), and northern Australia.
Hump Nosed Lizard, Lyriocephalus scutatus (Linnaeus, 1758). A captive photographed in Sri Lanka. L. scutatus uses rainforests as well as disturbed areas. Adults reach 185 mm in body length, and they are usually green. This animal was stressed by cool temperatures and turned a dark gray-green during the photography session.
Indo-Chinese Water Dragon, Physignathus cocincinus Cuvier, 1829. A captive specimen. Adult body length reaches 250 mm. As its name suggests it inhabits stream edges in evergreen forest in the Indo-Chinese Peninsula and southern China. This species is convergent with the common Western Hemisphere iguana in many aspects of its life style and morphology.
The Inland Bearded Dragon, Pogona vitticeps (Ahl, 1926) Photographs of captive animals. The Bearded Dragon is endemic to central Australia, and very popular in the pet trade. For more photos of the Pogona click on the photo.
A butterfly lizard, Leiolepis belliana. Photographed in Thailand. Lizards in the genera Leiolepis and Uromastyx have been shown to form a clade. For now this clade is considered to be within the Agamidae. For more infomation and photos of these and Uromystax lizards click on the photo.
