Fringed flying dragon (Draco fimbriatus)

Fringed flying dragon (Draco fimbriatus) is a species of lizard belonging to the family Agamidae. It is a small, arboreal, carnivorous, and diurnal lizard, measuring 11–13 cm from snout to vent, with a total length of 18–21 cm. It possesses sail-like wings for gliding, features a conical "beard," and has dark gray skin. It inhabits primary and secondary forests, as well as plantations, at elevations of up to 1,000 meters.

D. fimbriatus has nostrils that point outward or slightly upward, with a series of enlarged, keeled scales forming an A-shaped pattern on its snout. There are two median teeth in the upper jaw, and 8–13 supralabial scales, some of which are indistinctly keeled. The patagium (gliding membrane) is supported by five or six ribs, and the hind limbs are approximately as long as the distance between the fore and hind limbs.



The lizard’s skin has a rough texture and is colored in shades of brown, brownish-gray, or blackish, patterned with white and pale brown spots. Its long tail and limbs exhibit similar coloration.

The animal possesses a membrane on each side of its chest, connected to its forelimbs, which can be extended like wings to glide through the air. Males have a small, triangular-shaped flap (dewlap) beneath their heads, which is white with bright yellow corners.

The wings on either side of the body can be extended or folded; they consist of thin skin supported by six ribs. These membranes serve to prevent the lizard from falling while gliding from one tree to another.

This species seeks out exposed branches to prepare for a glide, then propels its body forward and spreads its wings. They are capable of gliding through the air from tree to tree, covering distances of up to 60 meters. This behavior is typically triggered when the lizard feels threatened, is pursued by a predator, or is being hunted.

TAXON

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Sauria
Infraorder: Iguania
Parvorder: Acrodonta
Family: Agamidae
Subfamily: Draconinae
Genus: Draco Linnaeus (1758)
Species: Draco fimbriatus Kuhl (1820)
Subspecies: Draco fimbriatus fimbriatus Kuhl (1820), Draco fimbriatus punctatus Boulenger (1900)

SYNONYMS

Draco (Rhacodracon) fimbriatus Fitzinger (1843)
Draco fimbriatus Boulenger (1885)
Draco fimbriatus Chan-Ard (1999)
Draco fimbriatus de Rooij (1915)
Draco fimbriatus Duméril & Bibron (1837)
Draco fimbriatus fimbriatus Musters (1983)
Draco fimbriatus Grandison (1972)
Draco fimbriatus Grismer (2010)
Draco fimbriatus hennigi Musters (1983)
Draco fimbriatus Kuhl (1820)
Draco fimbriatus Malkmus (2002)
Draco fimbriatus Manthey & Grossmann (1997)
Draco fimbriatus punctatus Boulenger (1900)
Draco fimbriatus punctatus Manthey (2008)
Draco fimbriatus Taylor (1963)
Draco grandis Bartlett (1894)
Draco punctatus Boulenger (1900)
Draco punctatus de Rooij (1915)
Draco punctatus Grandison (1972)
Draco punctatus Taylor (1963)

VERNACULAR NAME

Chinese (simplified) 马来飞蜥
English: Fringed flying dragon, Crested gliding lizard, Orange-bearded flying dragon, Orange-bearded gliding lizard
German: Fransen-Flugdrache
Indonesia: Cekibar, Cleret, Bengkarung terbang
Java: Cleret, Cleret gombel
Malaysia: Cicak terbang berjanggut jingga
Russian: Бахромчатый летучий дракон
Thai: กิ้งก่าบินคอสีส้ม

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