
Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3
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In parts
of southern Thailand and northern Peninsular Malaysia this species is common
to locally abundant in open habitats such as sparse secondary forest,
wayside trees, and rubber and coconut plantations. In its
undisturbed native habitat it probably preferred forest edge locations with high levels
of sunshine, and it can consequently adapt to disturbed conditions.
The ground colour of this species can vary from pale grey to brownish, and
closely matches the colour shade of the tree trunk on which it is
active.
The
species can be identified by the yellow gular flag of both males and
females, which is rounded at the tip : in some populations there is a blue
spot at the base (reportedly this occurs in females). The patagium is
reddish- orange and is adorned with black blotches, particularly at the
leading edge.
The species feeds mainly on ants.
Outside of the region, the Spotted Gliding Lizard reportedly occurs in parts of northern India, Bangladesh and
southern China. Within Southeast Asia it occurs in Burma, Thailand, Indochina
(Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam) and the extreme north of Peninsular Malaysia
(including the islands of Langkawi and Penang).
Despite historical records of the species in Singapore, it is most unlikely
the species ever occurred there : it is possible there once some confusion
with the Common Gliding Lizard
Draco sumatranus, which is common in Singapore in disturbed habitats and with which it bears some superficial similarity, such as a
yellow gular flag in males.
Fig 1 :
This specimen from Krabi, southern Thailand, is moulting : remnants of
its old skink still adhere to the patagium. It is sunning itself
on a tall coconut palm.
Fig 2 : Active on a sun-warmed tree trunk in open, secondary forest at Langkawi,
Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 3 : Another specimen from Krabi, southern Thailand, with gular flag
fully extended. Note the distinctive pale blue marking at the base
of the gular flag.
Family : Agamidae
Species : Draco maculatus
Size (snout to vent) : males 8.7 cm, females 8 cm
Size (total length) : approx 22 cm
References : H11
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