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Changeable Lizard

Calotes versicolor

Description:

Two small groups of spines, perfectly separated from each other, above each tympanum. Dorsal crest moderately elevated on the neck and anterior part of the trunk, extending on to the root of the tail in large individuals, and gradually disappearing on the middle of the trunk in younger ones

Habitat:

The native range of the species includes SE Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, India (including the Andaman Islands and particularly common in mainland India), Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Myanmar, Thailand, Western Malaysia, Maldives, Vietnam, Pulo Condore Island, South China (Yunnan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hongkong, Hainan Island), Indonesia (Sumatra), Mauritius (Reunion, Rodrigues). It has been introduced to Oman, Singapore, and United States. The lizards were introduced to Singapore from Malaysia and Thailand in the 1980s. In Singapore, they are a threat to the native Green-Crested Lizard.[3] The Changeable Lizard is relatively common and found in a wide range of habitats. They appear to adapt well to humans and are thus not endangered. [edit]

Notes:

I spotted this near Tuy Hoa. Pretty sure about ID, I've seen a lot of these in different colors but I think its C. versicolor.

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6 Comments

Dan Doucette
Dan Doucette 11 years ago

Thanks Emma and yes, I think it is.

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 11 years ago

I agree with Maria. I liked the 3rd too.
Is that circular spot a membrane of some sort? Tympanic membrane?

Dan Doucette
Dan Doucette 11 years ago

Thanks everyone! Yes, Maria, me too, wasn't sure which to put as the first.

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

especially like the third photo

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

Wonderful portrait Dan!

Helena K
Helena K 11 years ago

Magical sighting!!!!

Dan Doucette
Spotted by
Dan Doucette

Tuy Hòa, Viet Nam

Spotted on Jan 27, 2012
Submitted on May 13, 2012

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