
Photographed at Langkawi, Peninsular Malaysia
Family : UROMASTICIDAE
Species : Leiolepis belliana
Size (snout to vent) : 17 cm
Size (total length) : 50 cm
References : H1 |
This burrowing species is
characterised by its greenish-grey colour, patterned with yellowish spots
and its handsome black and orange markings along the flank.
Juveniles are striped and
have a reddish tail. It can be found basking in the sun along sandy, forest
trails, and can be locally common on golf courses. If alarmed it will
quickly return to its burrow; at night this is sealed with sand, probably as
a defensive measure against nocturnal snakes.
It is found in the Mekong
Basin of Indochina, and in coastal areas of Thailand, West Malaysia and
Sumatra. It is absent in Singapore.
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