Draco volans

Draco volans

1. By- Sanju Sah St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar , Kathmandu Department of Microbiology Draco volans

2. Comments: Draco is commonly known as flying lizard or flying dragon. Body is dorso -ventrally compressed and measuring about 25cm in length of which 12cm is taken by tail. The sides of the body, between the fore- and hind limbs, extend as a pair of large wing-like membranes, the patagia , which are supported by 5-6 much elongated posterior ribs.

3. These wing-like membranes can be folded up like fan. Eyes are small with complete eyelids. On the throat are three pointed hooks, short one on either side and a long one in the middle. Tail is very long and slender. Male has small nuchal crest.

4. Distensible gular pouch is present in both sexes but larger in males. Gular pouch is orange in males and blue in female. Teeth are acrodont . Vertebrae are procoelous . Flying dragon use their patagia as parachutes.

5. Habit and habitat: It is endemic to Indonesia, occurring on the islands of Java and Bali in the west of the country.  Feeds mainly on ants, and possibly termites.

6. Economic importance: The only benefit is the esthetic value of seeing such a colorful species of lizard take flight.