Indonesia/Sumatra: Gunung Leuser NP – Chameleon Forest Dragon

The guides were adamant that this was a chameleon, while it clearly wasn’t – however, it was a rather rare Chameleon Forest Dragon aka Great Crested Forest Dragon (Gonocephalus grandis). And yes, just like a chameleon, it can change colors, though not as rapidly or dramatically as true African chameleons. Their shifts are usually triggered by changes in temperature, light, or stress levels. These are stunning, prehistoric-looking lizards with large crests and spines along their backs. They are sit-and-wait predators – they will sit perfectly still on a tree trunk for hours, blending into the moss and bark, waiting for an insect to walk by. They can also rotate eyes independently 360, and have an undeveloped third eye that can sense light changes. This species is the largest of the Sumatran forest dragons and the most spectacular!