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Reptile Fact Sheet
Indonesian Sailfin Dragon
VU· VulnerableHydrosaurus amboinensis
Tropical rainforest along rivers, streams and mangroves.
Fact Sheet
About this animal
Key facts about the indonesian sailfin dragon.
Common Name
Indonesian Sailfin Dragon
Scientific Name
Hydrosaurus amboinensis
Classification
Reptilia • Squamata • Agamidae
Distribution
Indonesia (Sulawesi, Maluku) and New Guinea.
Habitat
Tropical rainforest along rivers, streams and mangroves.
Range map · red pin marks a typical locationView larger map
Diet
Omnivore: fruit, leaves, flowers, insects and small animals.
Size
Up to 1 m (3.3 ft) long, including the long tail.
Lifespan
10–15 years.
Conservation Status
VU· Vulnerable
Least Concern, but declining due to habitat loss and collection.Behaviour
Diurnal, wary and fast. Sleeps in branches above water and drops in to escape danger.
Adaptations
Tall 'sail' fin on the tail helps males display and may aid swimming. Flat toes let it run short distances on water like a basilisk.
Predators
Birds of prey, snakes, monitor lizards and crocodiles.
Interesting Facts
- One of the largest agamid lizards in the world.
- Only adult males grow the tall, colourful tail sail.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) · Habitat: Tropical river forest, western Pacific — Wikimedia Commons