Family : AGAMIDAE
Species : Gonocephalus borneensis
Size (snout to vent) : up to 13 cm
Size (total length) : up to 40 cm

The Borneo Anglehead Lizard inhabits lowland primary rainforest below 700 metres elevation. On Mount Kinabalu, in the northeast of Borneo, it can occur at somewhat higher elevations.

Males of the species are brownish in colour with pale flecks, and are paler ventrally. They possess an unmistakable and well developed comb-like crest of spines which extends along the vertebral line from the neck to the base of the tail.
 
Females are green or brownish with a complex pattern of rounded cell-like blotches separated by dark grey. The crest is much reduced in females. In both sexes the throat pouch is pale.

The tail is more than twice the length of the body, and in both sexes irregular banding is present on the anterior part of the tail.

Typically the species is to be found in the forest shade, resting quietly on the trunks of saplings or lianas.

The Borneo Anglehead Lizard occurs only on the island of Borneo.

Figs 1 and 2 : Female photographed at Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo.

Fig 3 : Resting quietly on a sapling in lowland forest.

Fig 4 : Male with impressive head and body crest, at Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo.  Photo thanks to John Nat Arifin.


References :

Das, I., 2004. Lizards of Borneo - A Pocket Guide. Natural History Publications (Borneo) Sdn. Bhd.

Inger R. F., Lian T.F., 1996. The Natural History of Amphibians and Reptiles in Sabah. Natural History Publications (Borneo) Sdn. Bhd.

Manthey U., Grossmann W., 1997. Amphibien und Reptilien Sudostasiens. Natur und Tier - Verlag.