
Adult resting on a young sapling at the edge of primary rainforest
at
Fraser's Hill, Peninsular Malaysia. Spotted by Sophia S. Baker

Juvenile specimen. Photo thanks to David Bakewell.

Fraser's Hill, Peninsular Malaysia - comprises hill forest to
lower montane forest.
|
The Acanthosaura
Tree Lizard shown here is considered an undescribed species. It occurs in
Fraser's Hill, Peninsular Malaysia.
An adult specimen (left) was found clinging to the main trunk of a sapling, at the
edge of primary forest at an elevation of around 1000 metres. Its body
length measured 15 cm from snout to vent, but its tail length is unknown. It
possesses a long spine extending above each eye socket, and small
spines above the head and along the vertebral line. There are no spines on
the back of the neck.
Adult body colour is yellow-brown to olive-green, patterned with numerous ocelli,
or eye-like patterns. There is a dark band around the neck, and the tail is
plain.
A smaller, juvenile specimen (right) was found inside a large house in the
same general area of Fraser's Hill. This specimen differed to the adult in
having a green head : the vibrancy of the green colour appeared dependant
upon mood i.e. appearing bright green when not stressed, and brownish-green
when stressed. The dark neck-band and ocelli
of the juvenile are clearly
similar to the adult patterning.
Nothing is known of the range of this lizard.
Family : AGAMIDAE
Species : Acanthosaura sp.
Size (snout to vent) : At least 15 cm (based on the above specimen)
Size (total length) : Unknown
References :
|