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Description

Species Name: Boyd's Forest Dragon

Species Latin Name: Lophosaurus boydii

Native To: Northern Queensland, Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: N/A

Size (length): up to 48.5cm (19.1 inches)

Weight: 100 - 150mg (3.5 – 5.3oz)

Lifespan: 20-30 years

Diet: Carnivore

Lifestyle: Oviparous

Eggs Per Cluth: 1-6 eggs

Incubation Period: 100 days

Age of Sexual Maturity: 1-3 years

Description:

The Boyd's Dragon will generally have a brown or grey colouration to the upper parts of their bodies, although some individuals may have a green flush to their colouration. They have rather large 'horns' or 'spikes' that are actually enlarged scales, similar features can also be seen along running down from the chin to their neck as well as on the top of their head. These animals are sexually dimorphic in the sense that the males are generally larger than the males. The females will generally grow to 32cm (16.5 inches) long with a body weight of 100g (3.5oz), males on the other hand will grow to be 48.5cm (19.1 inches) with a body weight of 150mg (5.3oz). Their bodies are described as being laterally compressed and they have a distinguished crest on their head, they have enlarged spines along their back as well. These lizards have dark brown eyes that turn into a more lighter brown closer to the pupil.

Diet:

This reptile is mostly a sit and wait predator that will catch prey as it sits on its perch. Its diet will mostly consist of invertebrates with earthworms making a large proportion of their diet, they will also consume small fruits and vertebrates occasionally. It is stated that this species has adapted to positioning itself in places where it will frequently come across flightless stick insects (Anchiale briareus) which compensates for its general energy deficiency.

Behaviour:

This lizard will spend most of its time perched on the trunks of trees, though it will generally not move much it can move as much as 100m (330ft) on the ground if need be. One interesting aspect of this animal is that it is stated to be the only lizard in the world that is active during the day that does not bask in the sun, it will instead have its body temperature fit its surroundings. The only exception to this would be in the case of pregnant females which have been sighted basking in the sun likely for the additional energy requirements for the growth of their eggs. The Boyd's Forest Dragon is typically most active from dawn to dusk, they will remain active even during the rain. Their activity will vary on the season, they will become less active during the cooler season and will generally remain in the jungle canopy at this time. Both sexes of this lizard are territorial, the males will have larger territories which will generally contain more than one female in said territories.

Reproduction will generally occur during the rainy season, the egg clutch sizes will vary depending on the region. In the regions further north they may lay around 1-6 eggs per year in a single clutch, specimens that are located further south may produce more than one clutch per year but their clutches will generally be smaller in size. The eggs will be laid in shallow nests which are usually in rainforest clearings, said clearings can be both naturally formed or man-made. It appears that the sides of roads are particularly popular as nesting sites for these animals. Their eggs will take about 100 days to incubate before hatching, the young are often seen 'sleeping' at night perched on tree trunks with their heads facing the main trunk of the tree.

Threats:

The juveniles of the Boyd's Forest Dragon are known to predated by Grey Gowshawks also known as White Goshawks (Accipiter novaehollandiae), and feral pigs. The eggs of these reptiles are also known to be eaten by Slaty-grey snakes (Stegonotus cucullatus). It is stated that these animals are also predated on by Australia's largest snake the Amethystine Python (Morelia amethistina). One of the defensive measures this reptile has against such threats is by regulating its body temperature to conform to the temperature of the occupying vegetation it is on, this counteracts the heat-sensing capabilities of predators such as the Amethystine Python. Generally when approached this animal will tend to move to the opposite side of the tree from whatever is bothering it.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyd's_f…

Oakvale Wildlife: oakvalewildlife.com.au/explore…

Atlas Of Living Australia: bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsi…

Daintree Rainforest: daintreerainforest.net.au/boyd…

Description

Species Name: Boyd's Forest Dragon

Species Latin Name: Lophosaurus boydii

Native To: Northern Queensland, Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: N/A

Size (length): up to 48.5cm (19.1 inches)

Weight: 100 - 150mg (3.5 – 5.3oz)

Lifespan: 20-30 years

Diet: Carnivore

Lifestyle: Oviparous

Eggs Per Cluth: 1-6 eggs

Incubation Period: 100 days

Age of Sexual Maturity: 1-3 years

Description:

The Boyd's Dragon will generally have a brown or grey colouration to the upper parts of their bodies, although some individuals may have a green flush to their colouration. They have rather large 'horns' or 'spikes' that are actually enlarged scales, similar features can also be seen along running down from the chin to their neck as well as on the top of their head. These animals are sexually dimorphic in the sense that the males are generally larger than the males. The females will generally grow to 32cm (16.5 inches) long with a body weight of 100g (3.5oz), males on the other hand will grow to be 48.5cm (19.1 inches) with a body weight of 150mg (5.3oz). Their bodies are described as being laterally compressed and they have a distinguished crest on their head, they have enlarged spines along their back as well. These lizards have dark brown eyes that turn into a more lighter brown closer to the pupil.

Diet:

This reptile is mostly a sit and wait predator that will catch prey as it sits on its perch. Its diet will mostly consist of invertebrates with earthworms making a large proportion of their diet, they will also consume small fruits and vertebrates occasionally. It is stated that this species has adapted to positioning itself in places where it will frequently come across flightless stick insects (Anchiale briareus) which compensates for its general energy deficiency.

Behaviour:

This lizard will spend most of its time perched on the trunks of trees, though it will generally not move much it can move as much as 100m (330ft) on the ground if need be. One interesting aspect of this animal is that it is stated to be the only lizard in the world that is active during the day that does not bask in the sun, it will instead have its body temperature fit its surroundings. The only exception to this would be in the case of pregnant females which have been sighted basking in the sun likely for the additional energy requirements for the growth of their eggs. The Boyd's Forest Dragon is typically most active from dawn to dusk, they will remain active even during the rain. Their activity will vary on the season, they will become less active during the cooler season and will generally remain in the jungle canopy at this time. Both sexes of this lizard are territorial, the males will have larger territories which will generally contain more than one female in said territories.

Reproduction will generally occur during the rainy season, the egg clutch sizes will vary depending on the region. In the regions further north they may lay around 1-6 eggs per year in a single clutch, specimens that are located further south may produce more than one clutch per year but their clutches will generally be smaller in size. The eggs will be laid in shallow nests which are usually in rainforest clearings, said clearings can be both naturally formed or man-made. It appears that the sides of roads are particularly popular as nesting sites for these animals. Their eggs will take about 100 days to incubate before hatching, the young are often seen 'sleeping' at night perched on tree trunks with their heads facing the main trunk of the tree.

Threats:

The juveniles of the Boyd's Forest Dragon are known to predated by Grey Gowshawks also known as White Goshawks (Accipiter novaehollandiae), and feral pigs. The eggs of these reptiles are also known to be eaten by Slaty-grey snakes (Stegonotus cucullatus). It is stated that these animals are also predated on by Australia's largest snake the Amethystine Python (Morelia amethistina). One of the defensive measures this reptile has against such threats is by regulating its body temperature to conform to the temperature of the occupying vegetation it is on, this counteracts the heat-sensing capabilities of predators such as the Amethystine Python. Generally when approached this animal will tend to move to the opposite side of the tree from whatever is bothering it.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyd's_f…

Oakvale Wildlife: oakvalewildlife.com.au/explore…

Atlas Of Living Australia: bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsi…

Daintree Rainforest: daintreerainforest.net.au/boyd…