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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless otherwise stated

 EcologyAsia 2008
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Blanford's Gliding Lizard
   

Male photographed at Gunung Mat Cincang, Langkawi, Peninsular Malaysia

Family : Agamidae
Species : Draco blanfordii
Size (snout to vent) : 13 cm
Size (total length) : 38 cm

References : H1, H3

The Draco genus are the 'flying dragons', more properly called Gliding Lizards. They are able to glide because on each side of the body there is a wide flap of skin (the patagium) supported by movable elongated ribs. Males of the genus also have a throat fan or gular flag, which is extended as a territorial display.

   
 

Female photographed at Khao Phra Taew National Park, Phuket, Thailand.

  
     

Blanford's Gliding Lizard is one of the largest - the male reaches 13 cm (snout-to-vent) and the female 11 cm. Males are identified by olive-grey mottling on the back and patagium, and females by transverse banding. The gular flag of the male is long and light grey, and under the lappets (at the side of the head) is a red and black patch.

This species inhabits lowland rainforest up to around 1200 metres altitude. It ranges from southwestern China through Vietnam and Thailand to Peninsular Malaysia. It is absent in Singapore.