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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless otherwise stated

 EcologyAsia 2008
Copyright ©
 
 
     

 

 
   
Common Butterfly Lizard
   

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.