Borneo Forest Dragon

Borneo Forest Dragon

Gonocephalus bornensis

Silhouette: Michael Scroggie · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely
at Kinabalu Park
150 Verified sightings at Kinabalu Park From 2019 to 2026
337 Verified sightings across all 4 parks From 2019 to 2026
December Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Borneo Forest Dragon

Gonocephalus bornensis, the Borneo anglehead lizard or Borneo forest dragon, is an agamid lizard endemic to Borneo in Indonesia and Malaysia, and known from Sabah, Kinabalu, Brunei, Sarawak and Kalimantan. Moderately long (SVL up to 136 mm). Males generally larger than females (SVL= 118-136 vs. 90–130 mm; Tail Length=261-310 vs. 215–275 mm). Circular border on supercilium. Tympanum rather small. Weakly granular dorsum with a prominent lanceolate crest starting on neck and terminating on lower back. Tail is almost cylindrical.

Sub-adult males are generally brown, olive and green on dorsum with laterals, often with dark reticulations. Adult males are predominantly green with indistinct reticulation. Iris deep brown or light blue. Females rust red dorsolaterally with oval spots formed from reticulations on the sides of body.

Is endemic to Borneo. Found commonly in Mount Kinabalu, Poring Hot Spring in Sabah, also found in Brunei, Sarawak and Kalimantan. Found in primary and secondary rainforests up to 700 m (2,300 ft) a.s.l. Arboreal in habit, they live in tree trunks and on lianas often near streams. They deposit... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Danum Valley Conservation Area 🇲🇾 Malaysia
~70%
2 Kinabalu Park 🇲🇾 Malaysia
~50%
3 Sepilok 🇲🇾 Malaysia
~40%
4 Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary 🇲🇾 Malaysia
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Borneo Forest Dragon in Kinabalu Park?

About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Borneo Forest Dragon sighting in Kinabalu Park, based on 150 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Borneo Forest Dragon in Kinabalu Park?

December has the highest sighting rate for Borneo Forest Dragon in Kinabalu Park in our monthly data.

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