Great Crested Canopy Lizard

About the Great Crested Canopy Lizard

Bronchocela jubata, commonly known as the maned forest lizard, is a species of agamid lizard found mainly in Indonesia on the islands of Singkep, Java, Bali, parts of Malaysia Sulawesi, Karakelang, Salibabu; Nias Island, Singkap Island, Borneo (Kalimantan) also in Thailand, Cambodia and Philippines. Although in the past it was thought the species may be found in India, either on the mainland or in the Nicobars, this is not the case according to herpetologist Das. It is also known by the common name of "bloodsucker", although this is a misnomer.

Bronchocela jubata is 550 mm (22 in) in total length, with a long hanging tail making up four fifths of its total length. It has a jagged crest on its neck which more closely resemble hairs, as opposed to the crest of its close relative, B. cristatella, which more closely resembles the points on a crown. The crest consists of elongated scales, although it is flabby like skin.

The head is square in shape, and there is a soft sack under the chin. It has large, flexible eyelids made of fine speckled scales. The dorsal area is coloured from light green to dark green, and the lizard can change to brown or black if feeling threatened... Wikipedia →