Sunday, January 6, 2008

Boyd's Forest Dragon

These beautiful lizards are endemic (restricted) to The Wet Tropics World Hertaige Area, which stretches from Townsville to Cooktown. Although they can be seen all year round, they are much easier to find in wet weather. They sleep at night in the rain on thin trees as per the picture, but also occasionally on the ends of branches, facing inwards.
Described in some books as rare and vulnerable, they are locally common on the Daintree Coast.
I have noticed that mosquitos feast on them, finding blood by going in between the scales. Perhaps there is some kind of relationship, as it seems likely that this would be an excellent way to transmit disease between dragons.
The scales on their necks are enlarged, giving the impression of large white dots. This is probably just decoration. The spikes on their backs are sharp and strong, making them a less appetising meal for a python, whereas the ones on their necks are quite soft, like a chicken's comb.
Scientists call them an 'Ectotherm' they rely totallly on air temperature to regulate their own temperature. To do this, they can change colour slowly from light to dark. They also will hug a tree at night, becoming the same temperature as the tree to prevent being found by infared hunters like the Amethystine Python. In the morning I have seen them hold their whole body away from a tree to allow warm air to circulate.
They rarely if ever sunbake. Boyds that are in sun for very long begin to pant, and as one of my reference books notes " a panting dragon is near death".
They have a sticky tonge which shoots out and they eat insects as well as worms and anything else that catches their eye. They will pounch off a tree, having spotted movement on the ground. Their favourite food, according to researchers, is ants.
There are many places that visitors to the Daintree Coast can see these lovely, but well camoflaged lizards; The Marrdja Board Walk, Jindalba and Dubiji, but the best way is to take a nightwalk with a local guide. They are hard to spot and most local guides have years of experience at finding them.