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FLYING DRAGONS FEEDING ON ANTS

on 21st May 2014

“On the morning of 30th April 2014, a male Flying Dragon (Draco sumatranus) was scrambling around a tree in Sarawak, Borneo (above).

“As the temperature climbed higher with the rising sun, so did its metabolic rate. Soon, it began to flash its yellow gular flap, prominently advertising its presence to any conspecifics in the neighbourhood (above).

“All that fancy flashing was followed by feeding, as the lizard parked itself in front of an ant trail to partake of its breakfast (above).

“A video clip of the male lizard snapping up ants may be previewed below.

“On the same afternoon, a female Flying Dragon of the same species arrived onto the scene, looking positively hungry (below). After locating the busy ant trail, it began to peck away at the ants selectively, one at a time. This reminded me of how we sometimes scrutinise a conveyor belt of sushi dishes at a Japanese restaurant chain and pick out the particular plates we like.

“A video clip of the female lizard feeding on ants may be previewed below.

“Most species of Flying Dragons (genus Draco) are known to have a diet that consists predominantly of ants (Das, 2010; Mori & Hikida, 1993; Ord & Klomp, 2014). However, it is not very often that we get a chance to watch them dining al fresco.”

Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
8th May 2014

References:
1.
Das, I., 2010. A Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-East Asia. New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd., 376 pp.
2. Mori, A. & T. Hikida, 1993. Natural history observations of the flying lizard, Draco volans sumatranus (Agamidae, Squamata) from Sarawak, Malaysia. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 41(1): 83–94.
3. Ord, T. J. & D. A. Klomp, 2014. Habitat partitioning and morphological differentiation: the Southeast Asian Draco lizards and Caribbean Anolis lizards compared. Oecologia, DOI 10.1007/s00442-014-2921-y

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

  1. Beautiful photos and videos. Make me nostalgic. In the 1950s and 1960s I used to watch our local Flying Dragons (Draco volans) doing the same thing on coconut trees. Coconut plantations were ideal habitats for those lizards. They liked the high take-off points and sufficient open spaces in between the trees that allowed for long glides. Very few Draco volans left, (I have seen a few in Seletar)and no more coconut plantations. However, the related Draco melanopogon can still be found in the forest reserve at Upper Pierce. Melanopogon is more slender but slightly larger than volans, with a black gular flap.

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