Juvenile Forest Crested Lizard (Calotes emma)

It was July 2012. I was at the stream that runs through Nam Nao NP HQ, Petchabun. The shallow, clear stream turned chocolate brown in a matter of minutes and was rising rapidly. The rain was intensifying and I was getting seriously wet, as too was my camera gear. I was panicking. Desperately trying to protect my camera gear, I made a for the exit. Then, in the corner of my eye, I noticed a very small lizard in the leaf litter at the side of the path. I had to stop. It was something I clearly hadn't seen before. I managed to get a few shots of this little fellow as even the pathway began to flood. I helped him climb up onto a tree, enabling him to escape the flood onslaught. I, too, just about made it back without destroying  my gear. As for the lizard, I have no idea what it is. Some kind of leaf litter lizard? That's what I have named it since.

Since I posted this, Joe Hartman believes it is probably a juvenile Forest Crested Lizard or Calotes emma again or very similar sub-species. So, great find, but no cigar with another species. Thanks, Joe!

 

 

Barred Flying Lizard (Draco taeniopterus)

Whilst out dragonfly hunting deep under heavily tree-lined cover at Kaeng Krachan National Park, something landed right on my head. I thought it was a leaf or a twig ... until I tried to brush it off. Whatever it was leapt from my head and landed on the tree in front of me. Turns out it was a Barred Flying Lizard or Draco taeniopterus.* Its alternative vernacular name is The Thai Flying Lizard. It's the only one I have seen and is uncommon. It quickly folded its small wing flaps away and scurried up the tree to safety. I managed to get a couple of fairly OK shots, but it was seriously quick. Until the next time ...
 

*Once again I have been corrected by Joe Hartman. I thought it was a flying gecko! Many thanks for the ID and additional information.
 

 

Forest Crested Lizard (Calotes emma)

Here is a different variation on the Forest Crested Lizard or Calotes emma. Though the colours are different to those I have seen before, it has the telltale spine protruding just above its eye. I slipped down a rockface and it was right in fron of me. This beautiful specimen was spotted at a stream near Nam Nao town, Petchabun, Jul,y 2013.

 

 

 

Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor)

Here is a wonderful half-orange, half-brown form of the Oriental Garden Lizard or Calotes versicolor. I think it looks amazing with its seriously long tail ... I had to stand well back to get it all in. I saw this at Nam Pong NP, Khon Kaen back in February 2014.

 

 

Spotted Forest Skink (Sphenomorphus maculatus)

This is a small skink I believe to be a Spotted Forest Skink or Sphenomorphus maculatus. I saw this specimen at Phu Wiang National Park, Khon Kaen province, back in 2011.

 

Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor)

Walking near the town centre of Kanchanaburi, with my girlfriend, Beau, back in 2011, I saw a rather plain-looking, but chunky lizard claiming the last remaining heat from the embers of the falling sun. I am not entirely sure of the species. It could be a Oriental Garden Lizard or Calotes versicolor. However, I am no expert. I tried to get more photos, but he simply dropped off the tree and ran away ... a super-cool lizard defence.

 

 

Water Monitor Lizards

Now and then, walking along the streams and ponds, you get the feeling that you are not alone. If you are quiet and listen, you may be lucky enought to spot an enormous lizard ... in this case, the Water Monitor. They are massive but won't come anywhere near you so don't worry. They will swim away long before you get too near. Here are a few rather poor shots from Khao Yai National Park back in 2011. I WILL get better photos soon.

 

 

Blue Crested Lizard (Calotes mystaceus)

On the back of Joe Hartman IDing a previous lizard, I think I can say fairly confidently that this is the 'in season' male of the Blue Crested Lizard or Calotes mystaceus in all its glory, which I saw at Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai back in 2010. It really is a wonderful specimen and I hope to see it again soon with a better lens in order to get good photos. Photos of the 'out of season' male can be seen here.

 

 

Blue Crested Lizard (Calotes mystaceus)

When I reached the HQ of Doi Inthanon, the first thing that greeted me (other than a nice girl at the reception desk) was a largish, brown lizard basking in the early morning sunshine, along the footpath. I managed to get a few shots of him, though his tail was obscured behind a boulder. It turns out to be the Blue Crested Lizard or Moustached Lizard, Calotes mystaceus. It would seem that this is in its 'out of season' colours. In April (or there abouts), it turns into a wonderful blue colour. I hope to see it like that one day.
ID by Joe Hartman, with thanks!

 

 

Forest Crested Lizard (Calotes emma alticristatus)

This is a Northern subspecies Calotes emma alticristatus, pointed out to me once again, by Joe Hartman, with thanks! I have only seen this colouration of a Forest Crested Lizard once at Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai. Again, this was spotted back in 2010.

Forest Crested Lizard (Calotes emma)

Here is a beautiful lizard Calotes emma or Forest Crested Lizard I saw recently in Chaiyaphum, Thailand. It varies in colour depending on the time of year. Identifiable by its single horn above each eye.

Many thanks to Marcus Ng for the ID and to Joe Hartman for additional information.