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Hydrosaurus pustulatus
The Philippine Sailfin Lizard, Crested Lizard, Sail-fin Lizard, Sailfin Water Lizard, or Soa-soa Water Lizard (Hydrosaurus pustulatus) is an oviparous lizard living only in the Philippines. The Philippine sailfin Lizard is an excellent swimmer and has flattened toes that enable it to run across water. It is omnivorous, feeding on fruit, leaves, flowers, insects, and small animals . It lives near rivers in the tropical forests of the Philippines. Males have a larger crest on their back than the females. The males also show a violet color as they grow older. Females are less colorful.
The Philippine sailfin lizard lives mainly beside water, e.g., rivers, riverbanks, rice-fields, etc., as these lizards love to swim. The adults may reach up to a metre in length. Due to confusion with H. amboinensis, the exact distribution in the Philippines is uncertain, but northern populations are generally considered H. pustulatus and southern considered H. amboinensis.
Its another lizard rescued by my father from hunters that attempt to slaughter it for food. We kept it for a while for some medical attention for it has a punctured abdomen wound caused by the trap. We'll release her as soon as she recovers.
Spotted on Mar 4, 2013
Submitted on Mar 26, 2013
16 Comments
awsome shot!
shekainah d. alaban Fantastic portrait photos of your lizard. I appreciate all you and your father do to help these lizards survive in the wild. Wishing you and your family all the best as you do what you can for the wildlife around you.
Yes Ate Agnes , just released her yesterday. Actually our heart bleeds for this lizards. They are one of those hunted for food and the local authorities doesn't seem to care. Sometimes our roof get stoned at night because of what my father is doing (local hunters hate him) to rescue these poor creatures.
Great work what your father is doing Shekai. Hope this beauty recovers sooner.
The second my best friend and I laid eyes on this photo we said, "WOAH."
Look at that bluish color! I love it! Great spotting shekainah!
Great photos! WOW!
Beautiful photos of a beautiful animal! I love your rescue and recovery stories too. Did you know there is a global Wildlife Rescue and Rehab mission? http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/9974...
It's sooo...beautiful shekainah!
Thanks Rangers, its actually a very elusive lizard when its in the wild but it only takes at least three days to tame it.
Great spot and series !
Nice shot! Looks like a mini dinosaur!
Breathtakingly beautiful!
Wonderful !
prehistoric !!!
Excellent spotting and great work,,
very nice captures,