Surely in one of the articles on our website we have already surprised you with the fact that they exist. But this is far from the only species of reptile that is capable of traveling distances by air. So, we will tell you about the species of lizard Draco volans, which translated from Latin means “Flying Dragon”.
Flying dragons belong to the family Agamaidae, a subfamily of Afro-Arabian agamas. The habitats of these strange reptiles are located in remote corners of Southeast Asia. Flying dragons live in the trees of the tropical forests of the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, the Philippines, as well as in the southeastern part of India, Indonesia and Malaysia.
In nature, there are about 30 species capable of flight. But the Draco volans species is the most common, although not fully studied due to the hidden lifestyle of these reptiles.
Flying dragons are not at all the same size as their cartoon characters. The size of this one reaches 20-40 centimeters in length. Moreover, the color of flying dragons is not very noticeable - from solid green to gray-brown. This allows them to blend into their surrounding habitat. But a distinctive feature of flying dragons is the wide folds of skin on the sides of the flattened body, which, when the “false ribs” between which they are stretched open, form bright “wings”, allowing these lizards to soar in the air, freely moving up and down and changing their trajectory movement at a distance of up to 60 meters.
The structure of the “wings” of flying dragons is very unique. The lateral ribs of this lizard are significantly increased in size compared to the rest of the skeleton structure and are able to straighten the skin folds stretched between them. The resulting “wings” have a bright and variegated color - they are green, yellow, purple, with a tint, transition, with spots, specks and stripes.
An interesting fact is that males have a distinctive feature in the throat area - a bright orange fold of skin. Moreover, for the male sex this distinctive feature is considered a virtue, which they willingly demonstrate by sticking it forward. From the point of view of biologists, this anatomical feature is a process of the hyoid bone of males, which helps them during migration, stabilizing the body.
In general, gliding in the air for flying dragons is in itself a very useful skill that nature has endowed them with. He helps them escape from predators.
The diet of these reptiles includes insects, mainly ants, as well as insect larvae. Flying dragons live and hunt strictly in a certain territory, which, as a rule, consists of several neighboring trees. These descend from the trees only in case of an unsuccessful flight, or to lay eggs.
These flying dragons practically do not consume water; they get enough of it from the food they consume. It is also worth noting that flying dragons have a well-developed organ of hearing, which allows them to hear the approach of prey long before it appears near the reptile.
Unfortunately, the reproduction process and life expectancy of flying dragons have not yet been fully studied. The only thing that biologists managed to find out is that females lay eggs in crevices in the bark of trees. Small flying dragons appear within a few weeks and can fly from the moment they hatch.
There are a huge number of animals in the world. From the simplest, found at every step, to the extremely rare and exotic. One of the exotic animals is the dragon lizard, which will be discussed in this article.
Dragon lizard or flying dragon - belongs to the subfamily of Afro-Arabian agamas(Agaminae) and is one of its most prominent representatives.
Definition
The name is due to the lateral folds of skin that allow it to fly over a distance of about 20 meters. This ability was acquired by lizards due to the fact that it is very difficult to survive while on the surface of the earth and running along the forest floor, in which predators can hide. By adapting to life in tall trees, they solved this problem. This lizard is also called: dragon, flying dragon, flying lizard and flying dragons.
Description
The flying lizard is an inconspicuous animal that blends very well with the tree on which it lives. Stealth is primarily due to its small size. The lizard's length varies from 20 to 40 cm. Most of the body length is a thin tail, which, among other things, performs the function of turning during flight. The body is narrow and can reach 5 cm in thickness.
A distinctive feature of this lizard from others is the small corrugated folds on both sides of the body. They are attached to false ribs and spread during flight, forming wings. Males have a special fold located on the throat that helps stabilize their position during flight. In addition to helping during flight, the gular fold serves to attract females and scare away opponents.
The second element What keeps them invisible on trees is their brown-gray color with a metallic sheen, which allows them to blend not only with the trees, but also with the surrounding landscape. The side membranes on both sides are painted in bright colors that alternate one after another. The colors on the upper side shimmer in the color scheme - red, yellow, with various inclusions - spots, stripes and specks. On the bottom side you can see this picture: yellowish and bluish color here, connected with dots of different colors. Speaking about color, one cannot fail to mention the bright colors of the animal’s tail, legs and abdomen.
Habitat
Where can you find these wonderful creatures? The main habitat of flying lizards can be called:
- India;
- islands of the Malay archipelago;
- Borneo island;
- Malaysia;
- most of Southeast Asia.
They live in tropical forests, where there are many tall trees on the crowns of which you can comfortably sit. They practically don’t go down to the ground, only in case of egg laying or accidental fall.
Behavioral features
The behavior of flying dragons is determined by the presence of “wings” and the ability to glide over a distance of over 20 meters. It is the presence of folds that causes these reptiles to live at altitude. Their favorite height is upper layer of the forest. Even going down a little lower is already a bad option.
Flying dragons spend most of their time motionless. This is because their color helps them remain invisible while sitting on a tree without moving. They feed on ants, insect larvae and adult insects that they encounter in their habitat.
The moment flying dragons see their prey, they jump in its direction and straighten their folds. Their goal is to catch an insect in flight and land on a nearby tree. They succeed in this thanks to good maneuverability in the air, which, in turn, is achieved due to the presence of a tail and a fold under the throat.
One of the characteristic features Flying lizards can be called having their own territory. Each flying lizard occupies about three trees, which it uses for hunting. If an animal the size of a flying dragon lands on one of the trees, it will first begin trying to drive away the enemy with its appearance, and then attack the invader.
The female flying dragon, in turn, also has a special manner of behavior. Despite the fact that they spend most of their time in the trees, they have to descend and lay eggs in the ground.
Using their pointed nose, they dig small holes in which they lay up to four eggs. After this, they cover the holes with mud and guard them for 24 hours. After this period they return to the top.
The most common types
There are about thirty species of flying dragons. The main ones:
- Draco affinis
- Draco biaro
- Draco bimaculatus
- Draco blanfordii – Blanford's flying dragon
- Draco caerulhians
- Draco cornutus - horned flying dragon
Considering that dragon lizards spend most of their time camouflaging themselves, one should not be surprised that they have been little studied. Scientists have no information about, how long do dragons live and how many babies hatch from each egg. It is known that small flying dragons can fly immediately after hatching.
Millions of years ago. Among them there are unusual specimens that amaze with their unique appearance and abilities.
the site will introduce you to some of the representatives of ancient reptiles.
flying dragon
This is a miniature representative of a fairy-tale character. It differs from other species and flying lizards by the skin folds on the sides of the body. Thanks to them, they can fly from one tree to another in search of food, over a distance of more than 20 meters. They live in Southeast Asia.
The dragon family of flying lizards includes about 30 species. They are relatively small in size - up to 21 cm. Moreover, the long and thin tail makes up half of the entire length. The body is colored to match the color of foliage and bark.
In the normal state, the skin folds on the sides are tightly pressed to the body. In flight, they unfold, turning into bright wings of yellow, red or green. And the dragon becomes like a butterfly.
It maneuvers well in flight, changing direction and altitude, while the tail acts as a rudder. It doesn't flap its wings, but they allow it to float smoothly in the air.
flying dragon
Lifestyle of flying reptiles
They lead a solitary lifestyle, preferring the dense crown of trees. They also feed on larvae. And they themselves are prey for and.
The throat pouch of the male is bright yellow. In the female it is blue or dark blue. Flying dragons do not hibernate. They breed throughout the year.
Having chosen a female, the male demonstrates all his advantages to her - the color of his wings, his throat pouch. And he tries to convince her with a kind of “speech”.
If courtship is accepted, then after some time the female descends to the ground and lays 2-5 eggs in a small depression. Covers them with a small layer of soil and leaves its offspring to survive.
The cubs appear after two months with all the skills for independent existence. The lifespan of flying dragons is up to 5 years.
frilled lizard
Lives in New Guinea. It got its name from the fold of skin around the head that looks like a collar. It regulates body heat exchange and serves to intimidate enemies. In case of danger, it opens and rises around the head by 30 cm.
The frilled lizard has the unusual ability to run on its hind legs. In this case, the torso is held vertically. Strong, tenacious paws with sharp claws help them run quickly and climb trees.
Owner of an attractive outfit
Males reach a size of up to one meter. The long tail makes up 2/3 of the total length. Females are much smaller.
During the mating season, the male attracts his chosen one, showing her his collar in all its glory. After mating, she lays 8-12 eggs in the sand and after about ten weeks independent offspring appear.
They lead a solitary lifestyle. They mostly live in trees, but if they don’t find food there, then they go down to the ground for prey. Omnivorous - they feed on plants, rodents, and bird eggs.
To frighten the enemy, the frilled lizard rises on its hind legs, at the same time opening its mouth wide and its orange collar (does not fly). Hisses, hits the ground with its long tail and runs towards the enemy. Instantly turning into an incomprehensible creature. This transformation causes snakes and dogs to flee.
Moloch - spotted devil
For its terrifying appearance, this lizard was named after the pagan god of evil, to whom sacrifices were made.
Her entire body (up to 22 cm) is covered with sharp horny spines. Moreover, they are all different sizes. The spotted devil has the ability to change body color depending on ambient temperature and lighting. It also lives in the semi-deserts of Australia.
Leads a daily lifestyle. Moves slowly on powerful, outstretched legs. It lives in burrows dug in the sand and can bury itself completely in it.
What does it eat?
Despite its terrifying appearance, the moloch is actually a harmless creature - it feeds exclusively on ants. Catches them with a long sticky tongue. It eats several thousand of these insects per day.
The spotted color helps to camouflage well in the sand. In case of danger, the moloch bows its head in front of the enemy, putting forward a horny growth on its head. And significantly increases the size of the body, inflating it.
Her body is covered with sharp horny spines
Moloch can change its color within a few minutes, masquerading as its environment.
How does it reproduce
Eggs are laid between September and December. The offspring appears after 3-4 months, measuring less than one centimeter. They grow slowly and only at about five years old do the cubs grow to adult size. They live long enough for these reptiles, about twenty years.
Leaf gecko
Where do they live?
It lives on the tropical islands of Madagascar. Their unusual leaf-like appearance and color matching the color of tree bark make them invisible. The tail, with uneven edges and veins in the middle, is very similar to a dried leaf. This ability of animals is called mimicry (imitation, camouflage).
The second name (satanic gecko) was given due to its huge red eyes, which have excellent vision at night.
The size of these reptiles is 20-30cm. They live in trees, lead an active nocturnal lifestyle, and during the day they hide among the foliage. They feed on insects.
The female lays two eggs several times a year. The incubation period lasts 2-3 months, depending on environmental conditions.
In the wild, the leaf gecko lives for about eight years. In a well-equipped terrarium up to 20 years.
Small belt-tailed lizards
The name was given for the ring-shaped scales with sharp spikes that encircle the entire body, leaving a small bare area on the stomach. They live in Africa and Madagascar.
When in danger, belt-tailed lizards curl up into a ring, covering their bare abdomen, and take the tail into their mouth. At the same time, sharp spikes rise on the back. With this ability they resemble hedgehogs.
During the day they lead an active lifestyle. Crevices among rocks and stones serve as shelter for them. During the dry period they can hibernate. They live in small groups in which the male is the leader.
Video about the belt-tailed lizard
What do lizards eat?
They feed not only on plants, but also on small rodents and even their own relatives. They are long-lived, living up to 25 years in the wild.
Offspring are viviparous once a year. Cubs (one to two) are born up to 6 cm in size and capable of independent life.
All lizards, whether flying or not, tolerate life well in captivity in specially equipped terrariums. You need the appropriate temperature, diet and ventilation for each species.
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Belttails belong to the family of reptiles, suborder lizards. The family includes about 70 species.
Belttails are diurnal lizards; the size of various members of the family ranges from 12 to 70 cm. Belttails live in the rocky and arid regions of South Africa, and are also found on the island of Madagascar. Belttails live in rocky deserts and semi-deserts, bush thickets, savannas; some species of belttails rise high into the mountains. Quite often, lizards live on rocky outcrops, among scattered boulders.
Belttails differ from other lizards by the presence of large scales, which look like rectangular plates that cover the bone base of the reptile. The scales are especially large on the back; on the belly they are less developed. The scales located on the tail form wide rings (belts), which is why the family received the name “Belt-Tails”.
You will find out why the belted tails curl into such a ring under the cut and even watch the video.
The body of belt-tails is colored light or dark brown; due to this coloring, they are also called golden belt-tails. There is a dark pattern on the abdomen, which is especially pronounced in the chin area.
The teeth of belt-tailed animals are uniform, pleurodont. The eyes of belt-tails are well developed, with a round pupil, and the eyelids are separate and movable. Some species of belt-tails have well-developed five-fingered limbs. On both sides of the body of the belt-tailed fish there is a special fold, which is lined with small scales, which, like the spindles, facilitates eating, breathing and laying eggs.
Belttails live in groups on rocky soils. Belted tails are active during the daytime. Cracks in rocks, burrows, and crevices between stones serve as shelter for the belted tail.
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When in danger, the small belt-tailed lizard curls up into a ball, grabbing the tip of its tail with its teeth, for which it is also called the armadillo lizard. In this way, the small belt-tail defends its vulnerable spot - the abdominal area. What is interesting is that in this position it is impossible to separate the small belt-tailed fish. Some belt-tails, at the moment of danger, hide in a gap between stones, cling with their claws and swell, resting against the walls of the shelter, in this way the belt-tails do not allow the attacker to pull them out of there.
Most members of the family are ovoviviparous lizards, but oviparous species are also found. Belted tails living in the southern part of their range can hibernate in winter, this is due to the fact that the ambient temperature is very high in summer and very low in winter. Some species of belted tails, especially common in the northern part, do not hibernate in the winter.
In nature, some species of belttails feed on insects, while other species are completely herbivorous. Larger belt-tails, which reach 70 cm in length, prey on small mammals and other lizards that are smaller than themselves.
It is almost impossible to determine the gender of the Belly-tailed Cat. But, as a rule, females are smaller than males, and females have a lighter head, which has a clearly defined triangular shape. Males reach sexual maturity by the age of three.
The lifespan of belted tails is more than 25 years. The Lesser Belttail can live 5-7 years in captivity.
All types of belt-tails have their own characteristics and fundamental differences. Thus, in some species of belt-tailed animals all limbs are very well developed, while in others they are completely absent or are in a greatly degraded state (as, for example, in chamesaurs). The diet of belted tails also varies greatly among each individual species. Some of the representatives of the belt-tails feed on insects, while others are completely herbivorous. But the largest belt-tailed animals, whose dimensions reach seventy centimeters in length, hunt small mammals and lizards smaller than themselves for food.
Belted tails, living in the southern regions of their distribution range, hibernate, freezing during cold weather. However, there are also types of belted tails (mainly in the northern part of their distribution) that do not hibernate in the winter season. Different species of belttails have different defensive strategies. Particularly distinctive of them can be called the self-defense of the small belt-tail. This species of belt-tailed fish lacks hard scaly plates in the abdomen, making this area the most vulnerable. Therefore, when there is a premonition of danger, the small belt-tail curls up into a ball, biting its tail very tightly - so that it is impossible to separate it. This is how the small belt-tail defends its vulnerable spot.
The genus of the belt-tail includes the following species and subspecies:
- True belt-tails (small belt-tail, giant belt-tail, common belt-tail, East African belt-tail).
- Plasitaurs
- Hamesaurs
Each genus of belt-tails in turn includes several subspecies.
Individuals in a group are tameable and easy to handle, although the rest of the family will hide when trying to pick them up. Those who tend to be sociable can be trained to eat from their hands. Males are aggressive (compared to males of other belt-tailed species), so only one male is kept in a group. Belted tails allow you to observe them and do not hide. Covering the glass of the terrarium with film will also contribute to less timidity, allowing you to see your pets, but they cannot see you.
The East African belt-tail requires a spacious horizontal terrarium (90 liter for one pet, 180 liter for a group, and, of course, more is possible). For example, for a group, 90 cm (width) x 60 cm (depth) x 50 cm (height) is quite suitable. This species is quite social, so it is recommended to keep a group. To make the skin changing process smoother, a bathtub is placed in the terrarium.
For lighting, lamps with ultraviolet radiation (Repti Glo 10.0) and incandescent lamps are used, under which pets can bask. Daily schedule: 12-14 hour day. The temperature under the incandescent lamp should reach 35 degrees (this species loves to sunbathe), in other areas it should be about 25. Night temperatures should be lower: 20 - 22 degrees. Humidity: 40-60%.
When kept at home, East African belttails are quite omnivorous, and their diet mainly consists of crickets, mealworms and grasshoppers. Insects are sprinkled with calcium and vitamin supplements before feeding. Feeding worms should be placed in a feeding container so that they do not accidentally mix with the substrate. Feeding frequency for adults is usually once every two to three days. If we see that ours are reluctant to eat, we sometimes even take a break of up to 3 days.
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