UNIQUE MINDANAO: The Agile Flying Dragons of Mindanao

If Daenerys Targaryen have her own dragons then Mindanao has it's own several flying dragons in the draco genus, agamidae family.

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Draco Cyanopterus

Also called Tambokaka by the native residents of Siargao, endemic and found on the islands of Camiguin Sur, Dinagat and Mindanao except on the Zamboanga Peninsula. These flying lizards don't actually fly but glides between trees using their patagium or wing membrane that stretches over the ribs. Their distinct dewlaps help the lizards during flight by stabilizing their flight and are used for behavioral displays. These lizards are known primarily to feed on termites and ants in trees. The Draco cyanopterus are usually found on coconut trees and coconut plantations.

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Draco Mindanensis

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The Mindanao Flying Dragon is usually found in the islands of Dinagat, Leyte, Mindanao and Samar at elevations of around 200 to 900 feet. It has dull grayish brown color with white spots and an obvious orange dewlap for the males while a cream yellow color for the females, and considered as one of the largest ones in the genus draco. It's red patagium signify the males while the females are dusky. It is active during the daytime, lives on trees and feeds on insects. It is prevalent on dipterocarp forests and an active bioindicator (species that could help monitor or are able to show the status of the environment).

Draco guentheri

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It is known as Guenther's flying lizard Flying Lizard endemic to the islands of Basilan, Bongao, Jolo, Mindanao, Sanga-Sanga, Siasi, and Simunul. It is prevalent in the coconut groves and plantations of the Zamboanga Peninsula. The central abdominal part of the lizard is dark brick red or salmon, with a dark spot in the outer border in males while the females are light yellow with small dark spots. The dewlap is triangular and purple in males and the females have a bright purple with yellow tip.

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Flying Dragon Breeding Patterns

Flying Dragons in the wild are territorial. The males will mark two to three trees where a female flying dragon lives on each tree. If a male flying dragon encounters a female, he may form a circle around her. When it meets another animal, he extends his dewlap and wings or extend both simultaneously, or may bob his body up and down. This makes him appear larger whenever threatened. Some are also capable of camouflage and are effective in getting rid of their predators.

Below is an amazing video on the behavioral characteristics of flying dragons.

There are more species of draco lizards in the island of Mindanao and there are yet to be named and discovered that are endemic to the area. Although some species are still vulnerable to endangerment, most are still prevalent and increasing. Some are sold as pets. These lizards are important to the ecosystem of forests and are great bio-indicators of the environment. It is still important that we preserve these reptiles and make sure they thrive well in the wild.

sources:

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/links/169860/0
http://wildsiargao.com/draco-cyanopterus/
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/169783/0
http://eol.org/pages/790128/overview
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/12420468
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draco_mindanensis
https://www.youtube.com/user/BBCEarth/videos