Takydromus sexlineatus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Lacertidae |
Genus: | Takydromus |
Species: | T. sexlineatus |
Binomial name | |
Takydromus sexlineatus Daudin, 1802 | |
Takydromus sexlineatus, the Asian grass lizard, six-striped long-tailed grass lizard, or long-tailed grass lizard, is an arboreal, diurnal species of lizard. The tail length is usually over three times the body (snout to vent) length in this species. [2]
Males and females are similar, males being distinguishable by the presence of pre-anal pores. On average they grow to around 12 cm (4.7 in) snout-to-vent length, with the addition of a distinctive, prehensile long tail. [3] Some individuals may have small circular spots on the sides of the bodies. This species of lizard is often kept as a pet.
Like many lizards, they can drop their tail and grow a new one when attacked. [4]
The long-tailed grass lizard is easily identifiable by its long tail, and has a white to cream coloured underbelly with a brown, green or beige back, often adorned with brown stripes of different shades. It typically has a small head with a sharply pointed snout and black or pink tongue. Its body is slightly elongated and thin with small pointy scales beneath the chin resembling a beard. Males have white spots on their sides, while females do not. [4] Males have tails that thicken past the vent and are generally thicker than the female's down the entire length of the tail. The light stripes on the length of the body are yellower than the female's, which are more cream coloured. [5] They grow up to 12 inches (30 cm.) long, with the tail usually being three times their body length. [6]
Takydromus sexlineatus is found throughout South East Asia, and is native to a number of countries including India, China, Thailand, and Indonesia. [1] The subspecies ocellatus is found in areas such as southern China, north Burma and north Malaysia. [1]
These are entirely diurnal lizards that emerge in the early morning to bask in the sun. If a potential predator approaches they will first remain completely still, and then if the danger persists, they will flee to the safety of foliage. Both sexes use arm-waving gestures (similar to a front crawl swimming action), apparently to communicate with each other. They are very agile and fast.
Takydromus sexlineatus feeds on small insects such as flies, In captivity they can be reared on crickets and like other small lizards may require a calcium substitute. [7] It is advisable in captivity to vary food including mealworms, sterile maggots or waxworms in addition to crickets. [7] Unlike some larger reptiles, these lizards have extremely fast reactions and have been observed jumping into the air to catch flying prey such as flies.
The Lacertidae are the family of the wall lizards, true lizards, or sometimes simply lacertas, which are native to Afro-Eurasia. It is a diverse family with at about 360 species in 39 genera. They represent the dominant group of reptiles found in Europe.
Holaspis is a genus of equatorial African lizards in the family Lacertidae. These lizards are capable of gliding flight for distances of 30 meters.
Poromera is a genus of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The genus Poromera is monotypic, containing the single species, Poromera fordii, commonly known as the West African striped lizard. The species is endemic to western Central Africa.
Takydromus is a genus of lizards, commonly called grass lizards or oriental racers. Species of the genus Takydromus are endemic to a large part of Asia. Members of this genus are noticeable because of their slender appearance and their agile movements. The word takydromus derives from Greek ταχυδρόμος (takhudromos), "fast-running", from ταχύς (takhus), "swift" + δρόμος (dromos), "course, race".
François Marie Daudin was a French zoologist.
Calotes maria, called commonly the Khasi Hills forest lizard or Assam garden lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
Calotes mystaceus, the Indo-Chinese forest lizard or blue crested lizard, is an agamid lizard found in China, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Draco dussumieri, also known commonly as the Indian flying lizard, the southern flying lizard, and the Western Ghats flying lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is capable of gliding from tree to tree. It is found principally in the Western Ghats and some other hill forests of Southern India. It is almost completely arboreal, found on trees in forests and adjoining palm plantations where it climbs trees to forage for insects and glides to adjoining trees by expanding the patagium, loose skin on the sides of the body which is supported by elongated ribs to act as wings. The skin on the sides of the neck is also extended to the sides using the hyoid bones of the tongue as support. During the breeding season males maintain small territories which they defend from other males while courting females. The male has a more colourful patagium than the female, and it prominently extends its yellow dewlap forward in display. Although living almost its entire life in trees, the female descends to the ground to lay eggs in soil. This is the species with the westernmost distribution within the genus Draco, the majority of species occurring in Southeast Asia.
Ahaetulla perroteti, known commonly as the bronze-headed vine snake, Perrotet's vine snake, or the Western Ghats bronzeback, is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Western Ghats in South India.
Atretium schistosum, the split keelback or olive keelback wart snake, is a species of snake found in South Asia. It is a common and harmless watersnake.
Takydromus khasiensis is a species of lizard. It is found in Northeast India, adjacent Myanmar (=Burma), and northern part of Bangladesh. The type locality is the Khasi Hills.
The ocellated lizard or jewelled lizard is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to southwestern Europe.
The blue-throated keeled lizard, or Dalmatian algyroides, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae.
Podarcis carbonelli, commonly known as Carbonell's wall lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to Portugal and Spain.
Bosc's fringe-toed lizard or Bosk's [sic] fringe-fingered lizard is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to North Africa and Western Asia. Three subspecies are sometimes recognised; A. boskianus boskianus, from Lower Egypt; A. boskianus euphraticus from Iraq; and A. boskianus asper from the rest of the range; however this division is unsatisfactory because each subspecies has much variation and the differences between them are not consistent.
Takydromus toyamai, also known commonly as the Miyako grass lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands.
Diploderma swinhonis, also known commonly as the Taiwan japalure, Swinhoe's japalure, Swinhoe's lizard, and Swinhoe's tree lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is native to Taiwan. It is considered an invasive alien species in Japan after likely being transported from Taiwan by humans. A foraging ambush predator, this lizard preys primarily on arthropods and thus remains at the bottom of forests perched on trees where sunlight is present. D. swinhonis is not a major threat to humans and is able to adapt to a variety of habitats, including urban environments. The male D. swinhonis is physically distinct from the female, with its body size being much larger and having a yellow stripe. This species sexually reproduces on a seasonal basis and hibernates during the winter time.
Tropidosaura montana, also known commonly as the common mountain lizard and the green-striped mountain lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to South Africa. There are three recognized subspecies.
Takydromus sauteri, known commonly as the Koshun grass lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Orchid Island in Taiwan.
Takydromus stejnegeri is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Taiwan.