Green crested lizard

Bronchocela cristatella

Irish Name: Laghairt ghlaschíorach
IUCN Status: Least Concern

The green crested lizard is a small, bright green lizard that sometimes has a blueish tinge on their head. They have a very long tail, a dark ring around each eye, and a dark spot at the back of their head. The males have a crest on their necks.

Green crested lizard

Bronchocela cristatella

Irish Name: Laghairt ghlaschíorach
IUCN Status: Least Concern

The green crested lizard is a small, bright green lizard that sometimes has a blueish tinge on their head. They have a very long tail, a dark ring around each eye, and a dark spot at the back of their head. The males have a crest on their necks.

General Information

Where do they live? (Natural habitat)

The green crested lizard lives in forests across Southeast Asia including Singapore, Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

How long do they live?

They live for around 10 years.

What do they eat?

Green crested lizards are insectivores (insect-eaters). They eat ants, flies, crickets, locusts, etc.

Zoo location

Zoorassic World

Closest related species / sister species

The closest relatives of the green crested lizard are the other members of the genus Bronchocela, a genus of Asian lizards. An example of a closet related species is the maned forest lizard.

Animal class

Reptilia

Animal order

Squamata

Fun facts

Tail

The green crested lizard's tail is three times the length of their body.

Changing colours

Green crested lizards will turn a darker, browner colour when threatened.

Showing off

Males will turn a darker colour and display a bright orange throat when trying to attract a female.

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Family Life

During the breeding season, males will display head-bobbing behaviour to try to attract females. The males will also change colour to a dark brown shade. Females during the breeding season will change colour to a red shade, with yellow limbs. Males will mate with many females, and females will lay spindle-shaped eggs (taper at the ends) in the soil. There is no parental investment once eggs hatch.

Baby name

Hatchling

Gestation (pregnancy) period

Eggs need 60-70 days of incubation before hatching.

Number of young at birth

2-4 eggs are laid

Size adult

11.5 cm from snout to vent in length. The total length of the green crested lizard is 57 cm, with 75-80% of their body being accredited to their tail.

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FAQs

  • Are green crested lizards venomous?

    No, they are not venomous. The most famous venomous lizards are the Gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard.

  • What do green crested lizards eat?

    Green-crested lizards eat insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, small roaches, flies, ants, etc.

  • Where do green crested lizards live?

    The green crested lizard lives in forests across Southeast Asia including Singapore, Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

  • What do green crested lizards eat?

    Green crested lizards are insectivores (insect-eaters). They eat ants, flies, crickets, locusts, etc.

  • Are green crested lizards endangered?

    Green crested lizards are listed as Least Concern by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. In Singapore, the range of the green crested lizard is declining, as it is in competition with the introduced species Calotes versicolor (changeable lizard).

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