ID Needed for This New Friend Of Mine

[David]

Hi Everyone

This feisty young lizard has taken up residence at my office bamboo pot. Bought some worm thingy from a bird shop and this bugger walloped it....I know this is a common tree lizard but if anyone can help me ID its exact name will be nice....

[stormhawk]

Should be a juvenile Calotes versicolor, the Changeable Lizard. Not a native species but very interesting to keep. I had two of these in the past, released when they got bigger.

[limz_777]

quite aggressive when adult

[David]

Thanks guys....I am surprised they are not native to our ecology because I see them running all over the place in parks and even running across the road at farmways.....

Aggressive as in....'bite me at will' or 'bite me when provoked'....I kinda like this bugger....

[stormhawk]

David, they're common everywhere especially in those areas where we have hedges, like at schools. They were introduced a long time ago via Malaysia and Thailand, probably as eggs buried in soil that came with plants etc. Fairly aggressive lizard but will run away if you come too close. The breeding males are fantastic to watch when they are doing their nuptial displays. The lower part of the neck becomes dark, almost blackish and the whole body takes on a reddish hue.

This species is a threat to other native lizards, specifically the Green Crested Lizard, Bronchocela cristatella, which is related to it. If you go to Gardens by the Bay you might see another introduced lizard, the Brown Anole, Norops sagrei.

[limz_777]

the anole is only sighted at garden by the bay ?

[Shaihulud]

Remembered when they weren't a common sight in Singapore. That was in the early 80's.

[David]

wow...okay....thanks....I see how this little bugger is gonna fair growing in the pot....

[stormhawk]

limz_777, yes so far sighted at Gardens by the Bay. It was published in a scientific paper recently, with evidence that the population is already established.