Asian Grass Lizard

Reptiles and amphibians

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Identity card

Asian Grass Lizard

Scientific name:: Takydromus sexlineatus

Family:: Lacertidae

Class:: Reptilia

Phylum:: Chordata

Year of description:: Daudin, 1802

IUCN Status:: Least Concern

Distribution:: India, China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Habitat:: In rice fields, tall grass, clearings and on the edge of tropical forests.

Size:: Between 5 and 8 cm for the body, and 20 to 25 cm for the tail.

Diet:: Insectivorous

Did you know?

This species is oviparous and lays its eggs 2 to 3 weeks after mating. Semi-tree dwelling species found in India, China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Indonesia.

It uses its bifid tongue as an olfactory sensor to detect odours.

This species is oviparous and lays its eggs 2 to 3 weeks after mating. Semi-tree dwelling species found in India, China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Did you know?

Where is the animal to be found?

This lizard lives in rice fields, tall grass, clearings and on the edge of tropical forests.

How can it be recognised?

This lizard can be recognized by the size of its tail, which is about three times larger than its body. It is insectivorous and its body measures between 5 and 8 cm, whereas its tail measures 20 to 25 cm.

What is distinctive about it?

The long-tailed lizard is capable of autotomy, i.e. it can shed its tail when it feels threatened. It will continue to wriggle for a few moments, which can be a distraction for a potential predator… or a handler.

The lizard will regrow its tail in a few weeks.