Changeable Lizard

The Changeable Lizard is widely distributed in tropical Asia including Hong Kong.

It is often mistakenly called “Chameleon” because of its ability to change colour. However, Changeable lizards can change their colours, quite rapidly, but not as rapidly as chameleons, yet these two species  belong to different families of lizards.

I saw this red lizard the other  day,

within minutes, the red colour disappeared.

This one was bright red before it saw me,

then the colour changed.

Like the chameleons, the changeable lizard can change its colour either to express its mood,

or to improve its camouflage, like these ones.

Usually, the changeable lizard is grey or olive coloured with  speckles or bands,

but during the breeding season, the male’s head and shoulders turn red/orange and his throat black.

Its bright red coloration earned the nickname of 'bloodsucker', although the Changeable Lizard does not actually suck anybody’s blood.

Enjoying Sunshine

While most of us prefer to keep cool in the hot weather, some would rather enjoy the heat. The cold blooded lizards, for example, always appreciate a bit of sunshine.

The Changeable Lizard (Oriental Garden Lizard) is often seen sunning itself on tree branches

 or  in open fields.

 

As reflected in its name, the colour of its skin changes from time to time. Normally they look a bit dull.  

During breeding season the male’s head and shoulders turn bright orange and his throat black.

However, sometimes the temptation to sunbathe can be irresistible,  as it was for this Grass Lizard basking in the middle of a road.