EPOW Ecology Picture of the Week -- Eastern Two-line Dragon

Explanation: Hardly the fire-breathing monster of folklore and fear, this is a true dragon of southern tropical forests. And it barely fits on a finger.

I caught this youngster with a quick grab as it dashed into the vegetation along a trail leading to Emerald Creek Falls in Dinden State Forest, northeastern Australia.

Down under, lizards of the cosmopolitan family Agamidae -- all 65 species there -- are referred to as dragons. Most occur in arid environments except for two species, including this one, that are found in rainforests or humid regions.

Agamid lizards are diurnal, have rough scales, and often have sticky tongues to aid catching insects.

But no fire-breath.

Common in a wide array of habitats from woodlands to dunes along the coast, the eastern two-line dragon looks formidable close up, but is harmless once subdued.

You can also see why this species is sometimes also called "Tommy roundhead dragon."

This young specimen sported a pair of bright
yellow-orange "racing stripes" and a wider, cream-colored
mid-dorsal (vertebral) stripe, and is checkered
likely as camouflage.

The lines also help to break up the body form,
probably serving as "disruptive coloration"
to confuse predators.

EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week