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Fig 5
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Family : AGAMIDAE
Species : Draco sumatranus
Size (snout to vent) : 9 cm
Size (total length) : 22 cm
The Sumatran Gliding Lizard
Draco sumatranus is generally encountered in disturbed or man-made
habitats such as parks and gardens or wayside trees, where abundant sunlight
is the norm. It is rarely found in the shade of primary or mature secondary
forests, preferring to keep to the forest edge.
Its dorsal surface is symmetrically mottled with light brown and dark brown,
and the patagium is black with brown mottling.
The triangular gular flag of the male is mainly bright yellow, but at the
base is pale yellow to white and mottled with dark flecks. The
forehead and crown of the male is often turquoise to bluish. The female
possesses a small, mottled blue gular flag.
The species has been observed to feed mainly on small ants.
Females may descend to the forest floor to lay up to 4 eggs in loose soil
(see Fig. 6).
It was once considered a subspecies of Draco volans (i.e. D.
volans sumatranus) but was recently elevated to species status.
The Sumatran Gliding Lizard ranges from southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia
and Singapore to Sumatra and Borneo (including the adjacent Philippine
island of Palawan).
Figs 1 to 3 :
Three views of an adult male Sumatran Gliding Lizard seen simultaneously
displaying its bright yellow gular flag and patagium while
feeding on tiny ants, Singapore.
Fig 4 : Female with small, mottled, bluish gular flag, at Tioman Island,
Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 5 : Male with blue head and relaxed gular flag. Seen at Gunung
Arong, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 6 : This female has descended to the forest floor and has cleared a
small area of leaf litter, in preparation for laying her eggs in a hole
excavated in loose
soil. Gravid females may carry up to 4 eggs. Seen at Singapore
Botanic Gardens by Dr. Shawn Lum, November 2021. Photo thanks to Law
Ingg Thong.
Figs 7 and 8 : Males from Ulu Kinta area, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia.
References :
Cox, van Dijk, Nabhitabhata, Thirakhupt, 1998. A photographic Guide to
Snakes and Other Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and
Thailand. New Holland.
Lim, K.P., Lim, L.K.,1992. A Guide to the Amphibians & Reptiles of
Singapore. Singapore Science Centre.
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