Asian grass lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Asian grass lizard |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Takydromus
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| Species: |
sexlineatus
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The Asian grass lizard is also known as the six-striped long-tailed grass lizard. Its scientific name is Takydromus sexlineatus. This lizard lives in trees and is active during the day. It is a type of lizard that is often kept as a pet.
A special feature of this lizard is its very long tail. The tail is usually more than three times longer than its body. Like many lizards, they can drop their tail if a predator attacks them. They can then grow a new one.
Male and female Asian grass lizards look quite similar. Males have tiny pores near their tail that females do not. These lizards usually grow to about 12 centimeters (5 inches) long, not including their long tail. Some lizards might have small round spots on their sides.
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What Does the Asian Grass Lizard Look Like?
The long-tailed grass lizard is easy to spot because of its very long tail. Its belly is usually white or cream colored. Its back can be brown, green, or beige. Often, it has brown stripes of different shades along its back.
This lizard has a small head with a pointed snout. Its tongue can be black or pink. Its body is thin and a bit long. It has small, pointy scales under its chin, which look a bit like a beard.
You can tell males and females apart in a few ways. Males often have white spots on their sides, but females do not. A male's tail is usually thicker near its body and along its whole length. The light stripes on a male's body are more yellow. On females, these stripes are more cream colored. These lizards can grow up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) long, with the tail making up most of that length.
Where Do Asian Grass Lizards Live?
Takydromus sexlineatus lives across Southeast Asia. You can find them in many countries. These include India, China, Thailand, and Indonesia. A specific type, called ocellatus, lives in places like southern China, northern Burma, and northern Malaysia.
How Do Asian Grass Lizards Behave?
These lizards are active only during the day. They come out in the early morning to warm up in the sun. If a predator comes near, they first stay very still. If the danger continues, they quickly run away into thick plants for safety.
Both male and female lizards use their arms to communicate. They make waving movements, similar to how someone swims the front crawl. This helps them talk to each other. They are very quick and agile.
What Do Asian Grass Lizards Eat?
Takydromus sexlineatus eats small insects. They love to catch flies. If you keep them as pets, you can feed them crickets. Like other small lizards, they might need extra calcium in their diet. It's a good idea to give pet lizards different foods. This can include mealworms, sterile maggots, or waxworms, along with crickets. These lizards have very fast reactions. They have even been seen jumping into the air to catch flying insects like flies!
