Japulura swinhonis (Swinhoe's japalura)

Family agamidae

The Japulura swinhonis (Swinhoe's japalura) can grow up to 30 centimeters long, with the tail occupying two thirds of its whole length. Unlike other lizards, it won’t break the tail itself. Its external form is flatly slim, with extra slender limbs and toes, suitable for climbing trees. The male lizard has horizontal yellow bands on the sides. Living mostly in places of ground level to intermediate altitude mountain areas of about 1,500 meters in height, this species is unique to Taiwan. When confronting each other for territories or enmity, the male performs “push-up” movements.

　　Photographed by Yang Yu-shiang