Sailfin lizards or Philippine Sailfin dragons are large-sized semiaquatic lizards endemic to Philippine islands (except Palawan islands).
These Sailfin lizards can grow up to 3-4 ft and characterised by their large, sail-like dorsal crests on their tails.
Are you planning to have a Philippine Sailfin lizard as a pet? If yes, then you must know these 9 facts about them before you adopt them.
9 Facts About Sailfin Lizards You Must Know Before Keeping Them As Pets:
Sailfin Lizards Love Moist Habitats:
These lizards are endemic to the Philippines and prefer to live in tropic wooded habitats near water sources such as rivers, riverbanks, lakes, rice fields, and mangroves.
Sailfin lizards have a high population density near shallow freshwater resources. They are found throughout the Philippines except in Palawan province.
Sailfin Lizards Are Large Lizards:
Philippine Sailfin lizards are large-sized dragon lizards which can grow up to 3-4 feet (90-120cm) and weigh around 3-5 lbs (1.4-2.3kgs). Males are larger than females and their body is mainly cylindrical.
These Lizards Are Excellent Swimmers:
The crests of Sailfin lizards help them be excellent swimmers. These crests also assist in terrestrial displays and heating/cooling in different environments.
However, Sailfin dragons can run for a short distance across the water using their legs and tails for support.
Sailfin Lizards Are Not Poisonous:
Sailfin dragons are not dangerous for humans or other animals. However, if they are mishandled or threatened, they can scratch and bite individuals. However, these lizards are not venomous.
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Sailfin Lizards Are Omnivores:
Philippine Sailfin lizards are omnivores and prefer to consume more fruits and plants than insects and crustaceans.
However, a juvenile lizard prefers meat more than herbivorous diets but as soon as they are matured, their diet shifts more towards herbivorous diets.
(Video credit to woodlandparkzoo.)
Their teeth are not suitable for extremely carnivorous diets but at times they can consume insects. Hence, Sailfin dragon’s diets are easy to replicate and they become the top choice for exotic pet lovers.
They Have A Popular Defense Mechanism:
Being semiaquatic animals, Sailfin lizards sometimes take rest in the limbs of trees and other places outside the waterbodies.
Whenever lizards smell threats of predators, they jump into the water and often drop from the trees. Because water is in the safest place for them.
They Have Impressive Lifespan:
Sailfin lizards have a long lifespan compared to other lizards. They can live 10-20 years in the wild.
Sailfin Dragons Face Significant Threats:
Most of the population of Sailfin lizards live in mangrove forest areas. In the last 75 years, 75% of the mangrove forests in the Philippines have been lost due to urban development, aquaculture, and other anthropogenic activities.
Additionally, the increasing demand for Sailfin dragons as exotic pets around the world creates a black market in the Philippines. Locals capture them illegally and sell them in the pet market.
Most of the dragons are poached from the black markets of the Bicol region, Puerto Princesa, Cebu, and Davao.
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Sailfin Dragons Are Not Suitable Pets For Beginners:
Philippine Sailfin lizards are not one of the most docile lizards. Being wild and semiaquatic animals, these lizards prefer to remain in their natural habitat.
However, it is easy to replicate their diet but extremely difficult to replicate their natural habitat. Additionally, they require lots of space to live in due to their large size.
The lizards love to be fed but don’t prefer to be handled. However, if you handle them since their childhood, Sailfin lizards tend to become more tame and docile.
Sailfin lizards can’t be bred in captivity as their success ratio is very low. Hence, most of the lizards you find in the market are illegally caught and filled with diseases.
Hence, it is not advised to adopt a Sailfin lizard as a pet, especially for first-time owners. By keeping them as a pet, you may encourage the illegal hunting of these dragon lizards.
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