Mindanao flying dragon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mindanao flying dragon |
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The Draco mindanensis, also known as the Mindanao flying dragon or Mindanao flying lizard, is a special kind of lizard. It lives only in the Philippines. This lizard has a dull grayish-brown body. But it also has a bright orange dewlap, which is a flap of skin under its throat.
This species is one of the biggest in its group, called Draco. It is active during the day and lives in trees. It can even glide through the air!
The Mindanao flying dragon lives in old, untouched forests and also in forests that are growing back. It seems to really need the old, tall dipterocarp trees to survive. This lizard is important because it acts like a "bioindicator." This means its health tells us about the health of the forests in Mindanao.
Sadly, these lizards are in danger because of deforestation, which is when forests are cut down. The IUCN (a group that tracks endangered species) says the Mindanao flying dragon is vulnerable. There aren't many specific projects just for this lizard. But there are efforts to protect the forests where it lives.
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About the Mindanao Flying Dragon
What it Looks Like
The Draco mindanensis is part of the Draco family. Its body is a dull grayish-brown color. It has pale, round spots on its back.
Males and females look a bit different. Males have a red "patagium." This is the special skin fold they use to glide. Females have a dusky (darker) patagium.
This flying dragon is also bigger than other Draco species in the Philippines. It can grow up to 10.5 centimeters long. Males have a large, bright orange dewlap under their chin. Females have a small, cream-yellow dewlap.
How it Behaves
The Mindanao flying dragon is a diurnal animal. This means it is active during the day. It is also arboreal, which means it lives mostly in trees.
These lizards eat different kinds of insects. But they don't just eat ants, like some other flying dragons. Near Mt. Apo in Mindanao, this species has been seen living alongside other Draco lizards.
Where it Lives
This lizard has been found in rainforests in the Philippines. It likes areas with large Dipterocarpaceae trees. These are very tall trees found in rainforests. In South Cotobato, Mindanao, these dragons were only found in the biggest dipterocarp trees.
They have also been found on the islands of Dinagat, Leyte, and Samar. They usually live at heights of about 200 to 900 meters above sea level.
The Mindanao flying dragon seems to need forests to survive. It lives only in old, untouched forests or very old forests that have grown back. It doesn't seem to live in places like coconut farms next to these forests. Because of this, some experts think it's one of the most endangered Draco species in the Philippines.
How it Glides
Like other Draco lizards, the Mindanao flying dragon is famous for its gliding ability. These lizards have long ribs that they can extend and pull back. Between these ribs are folds of skin. When not in use, these folds lie flat against the body. But when extended, they act like wings, letting the lizard catch the wind and glide.
Gliding is very important for these lizards every day. It helps them move around and find mates. Since the D. mindanensis is a larger glider, it can glide longer distances. It also needs to go faster to glide smoothly. For a good glide, it needs to start from at least six meters high or glide at least nine meters horizontally.
Gliding happens in three steps:
- Dive flight: The lizard jumps from a tree and glides steeply downwards at a 45-degree angle.
- Glide flight: The lizard uses the speed from the dive to glide smoothly. Its body and tail straighten to go as far as possible.
- Ascent flight (landing): The lizard's path rises, allowing it to swoop upwards as it lands on its target tree. Its tail helps it stay balanced in the air.
Even though these lizards are great gliders, their size has some downsides. They can't use the lower parts of the forest as easily as smaller Draco species. Also, their gliding "wings" can only change so much.
Protecting the Mindanao Flying Dragon
Its Status
The Mindanao Flying Dragon is listed as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN. This is because experts believe its population might drop by more than 30% over ten years. This is mainly due to the loss of its forest home.
What Threatens It
The biggest threat to this species is habitat loss. This happens when forests are cut down, often to make space for farms. Disturbing the forest also harms them. It's not clear if people collect these lizards for traditional medicine, but more studies are needed to find out.
How We Can Help
There are no specific projects just for the D. mindanensis. But there are efforts to protect the rainforests where it lives in Mindanao. The Mindanao Flying Dragon can be found in several protected areas, including on Samar and Leyte islands.
In 2005, Conservation International Philippines started working in Eastern Mindanao. Their goal is to protect the amazing wildlife there by creating more protected areas and improving how existing ones are managed. Another group helping is the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. They work to build partnerships and help local groups protect this region. Both organizations work with local governments, non-profit groups, and communities. They help people understand why it's important to protect these forests and manage them better.
Why it's Important
Protecting the Draco mindanensis has many benefits. Draco lizards are great for studying how animals change over time. Scientists can learn about how gliding works, how they show off to find mates, how males and females look different (called sexual dimorphism), and how different species share their environment.
The Mindanao Flying Dragon is a bioindicator. This means it relies heavily on healthy, old forests. Unlike many other Draco species that can live in disturbed places like coconut farms, the Mindanao flying dragon is becoming harder to find. This is because its forest home is disappearing in the Philippines due to serious deforestation. So, it's very important to learn about where these lizards live and how many there are. This way, we can try to protect the ones still living in the wild.
