Family : Agamidae
Species : Calotes emma
Size (snout to vent) : up to 10 cm
Size (total length) : up to 38 cm

This attractive lizard inhabits various forest habitats including dry deciduous, coastal, and moist evergreen. It can be spotted on tree trunks, often low down.

Its identifying features are the single spine above each eye, and twin spines above the tympanum (external ear-drum). Patterning and colouration can include various shades of brown, green and grey. Males are generally darker during the breeding season. The fingers and toes are of great length.

The Forest Crested Lizard ranges from India through Burma, southern China and Thailand to northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Figs 1 and 2 : Fully-grown adult male, photographed at Pulau Banding, Temenggor Lake, northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Figs 3 and 4 : Young adult, probably female, photographed at Layan Beach, Phuket, southern Thailand. Note the spine above the eye, which helps to identify the species.

Fig 5 : Greenish specimen from Kaeng Krachan, Thailand : probably a male.

Fig 6 : Adult male from Kaeng Krachan, Thailand.

Figs 5 and 6 thanks to Charles Currin.


References : H1, H3