Palawan Flying Lizard
Palawan Flying Lizard The Palawan Flying Lizard (Draco palawanensis) is a gliding reptile belonging to the Agamidae family found exclusively on the Palawan Group of Islands in the Philippines. This species was formally recognized as distinct in 2000, having previously been grouped with the more common Draco volans. These moderate-sized, diurnal reptiles thrive in the Palawan’s moist lowland forests, moving with an agility that keeps them safe from ground-based predators. Palawan Flying Lizard The lizard’s most striking feature is its patagium, a flexible skin membrane that extends from the sides of its body that transforms a standard leap into a controlled glide. It is supported by elongated thoracic ribs that act as skeletal struts, allowing the lizard to expand the skin along its flanks into a functional airfoil. Its slender body, short neck, and long, prehensile tail are perfectly tuned for an arboreal existen...
