Great Crested Canopy Lizard

Bronchocela jubata

Description

Bronchocela jubata is medium sized with a slender, dangling tail and slender legs. It has a serrated crest on its neck that is more like a feather, consisting of elongated scales, although it is soft like skin. The head is square, has pockets under the chin, has large, flexible eyelids made of fine speckled scales. The back area is colored from light green to dark green, and there are yellow or red patches on the body. The lower part is yellowish to white under the chin, neck, stomach, and the back of the legs. The bottom of the hands and feet are yellowish brown. The tail is green at the base, with a bluish stain, the tip of the tail is dull brown with whitish spots on the tips. The pouch under the chin in male individuals is larger, and the area around the chin is bluish.

Population Size

Stable

Life Span

-

WEIGHT​

-

LENGTH

55 cm

Ar

Arboreal

Di

Diurnal

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Reptilia

ORDER

:

Squamata

FAMILY

:

Agamidae

GENUS

:

Bronchocela

SPECIES

:

Bronchocela jubata

Distribution

In Bali it is found in plantations and secondary forest, and low montane forest in areas with high rainfall, at an altitude of 100 – 1400 masl.

Geography

Continent : Asia

Country : Nicobar Islands, Java, Bali, Sulawesi, Karakelang Islands, and Salibabu Islands.

Habits and Lifestyle

Bronchocela jubata can generally be found in low bushes or hidden in lush trees. It is often seen falling from a bush or tree while chasing after its prey, although it will quickly run back into the nearest bush or tree. To catch prey, this species generally stays and waits at the top of the tree, or sway slowly as if swaying in a gust of wind. It is also common to find the use of household electric cables to cross from one place to another.

Lifestyle

Arboreal

Biome

Montane forest

Climate Zone

Tropical

Diet and Nutrition

Bronchocela jubata is a carnivorous animal, preying on butterflies, moths, dragonflies, flies and other small insects.

Diet : Carnivora

Mating Habits

Bronchocela jubata lays eggs in loose soil, sand or humus. the female lays 2 eggs. Like most members of the Agamidae, the parent digs into an egg hole with its snout. The eggs are white, waxy, and have a rough texture. A study carried out in the Situgede forest, near Bogor, found that the eggs of Bronchocela jubata were buried in the sandy soil beneath a layer of humus, just beneath the undergrowth in a fairly open section of the forest. The two eggs are elongated, approximately 7 x 40mm long, placed side by side, and covered with a thin layer of soil. In Gunung Walat, Sukabumi, there is an egg covered with a thin layer of humus in the middle of a trail in the forest.

Reproduction session : –

Incubation periods: –

Independent age : at birth

Baby name : –

Baby carrying : 2 eggs

Population

Population status : Least Concern (LC)

NE

DD

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

EW

EX

Population threats​

The forest habitat of this species is likely to be undergoing loss and degradation due to human activities such as agricultural expansion and logging, however, areas of suitable habitat remain.

Population number​

Bronchocela jubata has been listed as Least Concern because it has a wide range, common and not limited to one habitat type. However, further research and monitoring of B. jubata should be undertaken as there is a possibility that the threat of habitat destruction will become more widespread, causing a large decline in this species.

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. Ineich, I. & Hallermann, J. 2010. Bronchocela jubata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T170378A6772283
  2. Bronchocela jubata The IUCN Red List site 
  3. Bronchocela jubata Wikipedia article
  4. Somaweera, R. 2017. A Naturalist’s Guide To The Reptiles and Amphibians of Bali. John Beaufoy Publishing, Oxford, England.
  5. McKay, J.L. 2006. Reptil and Amphibi di Bali. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida, USA.