Common Flying Dragon

About the Common Flying Dragon

Draco volans also commonly known as the common flying dragon, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia. Like other members of genus Draco, this species has the ability to glide using winglike lateral extensions of skin called patagia.

The species is exclusively arboreal. D. volans grows to a length of up to 22 cm (8.7 in), including the tail. The body is tan in colour with dark flecks. The patagium of the male is tan to bright orange with dark banding. The female's patagium has irregular markings rather than banding.

D. volans can be found in tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia. It is commonly found in early second growth forests, in open secondary forest, and on forest edges. The "wings" of D. volans are supported by its ribs, which form the skeleton of the patagia. However, its elongated ribs are superadded to aid forming its "wings", and not to assist respiration.

This species is considered a passive glider, or parachutist. However, previous studies have also shown that it can be considered a gliding animal. This means that it does not have to deal with the aerodynamic and metabolic... Wikipedia →