Lizard ID

[Passionflow]

Hi folks
I would be very grateful if anyone can ID this lizard. The picture is taken in Malaysia - I have been told that it is a chameleon - anyone any thoughts? I am writing an article on the plant and it would be nice to correctly ID the lizard.
Many thanks
Myles Irvine

 

[Julirs]

Looks like some kind of iguana to me.

 

[Passionflow]

Many thanks Julirs. I used to keep lizards in my younger years and it does not look like how I would expect a chameleon to look but the eye looks bit chameleon like.....

 

[jrh3]

kinda looks like a false chameleon

 

[Julirs]

It is too big for a false chameleon. Look at the feet on that thing!

 

[Passionflow]

Um I don't know if this will help but see http://pixdaus.com/?sort=tag&tag=chameleon picture 8. Its the same creature but is it a chameleon?

 

[adamkwas]

It's definitely some type of Agamid.

 

[adamkwas]

My best guess is Calotes versicolor.

 

[TheVainity]

I dont believe it to be a chameleon. Chamaeleo zeylanicus occurs in Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan, and is the easternmost chameleon. It is similar and closely related to C.arabicus and C.calyptratus.

Gonocephalus chameleonatus seems to be the only "Chameleon in Malaysia" from what i've researched.

Good luck getting an ID!

 

[jojackson]

Spot on Adam

My best guess is Calotes versicolor.

Yes, and female.

*Agamid Lizards Ulrich Manthey and Norbert Schuster 1996 TFH publications

 

[Passionflow]

Many thanks folks.

 

[Littlehorn]

It is a Calotes versicolor, itz very common around Asia. We have lots of them in HKG.

It does have a common name in Chinese which is call "chameleon'. as they have the ability to slightly change their colors, especially during the afternoon where they will bask on trees.

They are also know as "vampire"/ "bloodsucker" by elder people, because the lizard is usually found in bright red color under the sun

 

[Josh Holbrook]

Definitely a Calotes.