My four year old was fascinated by this guy on our farm 45km E of Nong Khai.  There are two and we saw them several times. This bigger one is about 25cm long. It would bob its head, straighten the front elbows to look taller and hiss at us.  Hoping for a name so I can tell our son more about them. 

Looks like a forest or tree lizard, absolutely harmless.

Not absolutely harmless, if it bites you it holds on very strongly and is very difficult to get open and off. Non-venomous and will generally run away from people if you get too close. The locals eat them.

 

10 minutes ago, Ahab said:

Not absolutely harmless, if it bites you it holds on very strongly and is very difficult to get open and off. Non-venomous and will generally run away from people if you get too close. The locals eat them.

 

Yes, and elephants at the elephant camp are also mostly harmless unless you poke them in the eye with stick!

Thanks! Gives us a name for kiddo to read about. He was most impressed by the lizard’s behaviors! 

It may be an agamid.  You might recognise it here https://bangkokherps.wordpress.com/category/lizards/agamas/

I couldn't help but notice the tree in the photo. It has some major deadwood and decay in the V crotch. Not a good one to climb or play under. 

Edited April 30, 20188 yr by drtreelove

Calcotes Versicolor ,that's the scientific name of the lizard.

when in breeding mode,the male will find a prominent spot in

a tree, his head with turn bright red,blue or green,and he will nod

his head to attract females.

 

regards worgeordie

On 4/30/2018 at 11:04 PM, drtreelove said:

I couldn't help but notice the tree in the photo. It has some major deadwood and decay in the V crotch. Not a good one to climb or play under. 

 It looks like a blue chameleon lizard. 

 

    

It does look rather like the Indo-Chinese forest lizard in the link.  The pic of the one "in breeding colors". 

 

https://bangkokherps.wordpress.com/category/lizards/agamas/  

 

On 29/04/2018 at 8:47 AM, Ahab said:

Not absolutely harmless, if it bites you it holds on very strongly and is very difficult to get open and off. Non-venomous and will generally run away from people if you get too close. The locals eat them.

 

Same as Tokay, if they bite you and not let go, put your hand/foot with it under water, they will release when air runs out. 

3 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

Same as Tokay, if they bite you and not let go, put your hand/foot with it under water, they will release when air runs out. 

Is that before or after you scream bloody murder and panic attack it with anything that you can get your hands on that pounds or chops it to bits? 

Edited May 11, 20188 yr by drtreelove

Yes, Indo-Chinese Forest Lizard.

And I can't imagine ever getting bit by one unless you were trying to grab it, but if you do get bit it will be painful but probably won't break skin, and if it doesn't let go easily than the "holding under water" trick should work. 

On 5/11/2018 at 3:56 AM, PoorSucker said:

Same as Tokay, if they bite you and not let go, put your hand/foot with it under water, they will release when air runs out. 

Cigarette lighter will remove any lizard that won't get off you

They don't like the heat

On 4/29/2018 at 8:47 AM, Ahab said:

Not absolutely harmless, if it bites you it holds on very strongly and is very difficult to get open and off. Non-venomous and will generally run away from people if you get too close. The locals eat them.

 

If one should ever bite you, dunk it and the bitten part of your body in water. Supposedly they release you after that.