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FLYING DRAGON – FLAKING SKIN

on 17th February 2017
Flying Dragon Flaking Skin
Flying Dragon Flaking Skin

“While taking a peaceful stroll along a forest trail, I was suddenly startled by a ghostly pale creature clinging to a tree (above).

Flying Dragon Flaking Skin
Flying Dragon Flaking Skin

“Upon closer inspection, I realised that it was a male Black-bearded Flying Dragon (Draco melanopogon) which was in the process of shedding its old skin (above, below).

Flying Dragon Flaking Skin
Flying Dragon Flaking Skin

“At times, the lizard would take a bite of the skin flake and ingest it, recycling precious proteins (below).

Flying Dragon Flaking Skin
Flying Dragon Flaking Skin

“I have also witnessed similar recycling behaviour in humans who habitually nibble on their fingernails.”

Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
25th January 2017

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

2 Responses

  1. Thanks for the interesting photos and observations! ^^ I’ve only seen changeable lizards moulting. Dracos have much more skin to shed! With all the flaky white skin coming off in big patches, it also makes them easier to spot. Might make them more vulnerable to predators too?

  2. Yes, Karyne, I would suppose all that white & flaky skin disrupts their usual camouflage pattern against the tree bark, and hence potentially makes them more visible & vulnerable to predators. Thus, the shedding process has to be completed as swiftly as possible, perhaps within a day or two, to minimise exposure to predators.

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