Due to their rarity in the pet industry, these amazing animals are not your ordinary pet lizards. We only advise them to the seasoned reptile keeper because they are difficult to raise.

Philippine flying dragons are widespread in the northern Philippines’ trees and many in the country’s coastal coconut tree plantations. These lizards are well recognized for exploiting the skin flaps on their sides to glide down trees.

Continue reading to discover more about how to properly take care of these unusual animals if you wish to own one.

Short Facts

Common names include flying lizard and draco.
Adult size is 8 to 12 inches and 26 grams, and its scientific name is Draco spilopterus.
8 to 10 years for life
Diet Insects
tank size 80-85°F during the day, 70-75°F at night, 90-95°F in the basking area, and 75% humidity
popular substitutesbasilisk, false Malabar gliding frog, and flying gecko

A Philippine Flying Dragon: What Is It?

This unusual flying lizard that lives in trees only lives in the Philippines. These lizards live in thick to less dense and undisturbed forest branches, mango tree trunks, and coconut plantations. If you ever have the chance to observe one up close, you’ll discover that they can reach a length of 8 to 12 inches, including their tail.

These lizards have membranes on their bodies’ sides, which are known as their wings (or patagium), and on their throats, which are known as dewlaps. To assist the lizards glide between trees, these membranes fan out, giving rise to the nickname “flying dragon.”

Classification

All 41 species of flying dragons fall under the genus Draco, which includes these creatures. The first species to be recorded was the Draco volans linnaeus, or “common flying dragon,” which was discovered in 1758. The other 40 species are considered to be direct offspring of this genus.

The Philippines flying dragon, also known as Draco spilopterus, is one of the more elusive flying dragon species. The rarity of this species, which was originally described in 1834 and is hard to find, increases its appeal to collectors.

Owning a Philippine flying dragon could be an exciting choice for reptile aficionados for the following reasons:

It is spectacular to witness a flying dragon take off and soar through the skies.
Another feature that makes them fascinating creatures to study and keep as pets is their behavior.
They are an eye-catching addition to any collection because of their individuality, vivid hues, and distinctive markings.
“Draco” is a Latin word that means “dragon.” Given this lizard’s appearance and skills, a very appropriate name!

Care Guide for the Philippine Flying Dragon

This care manual serves as a good place to start while raising Philippine flying dragons. A variety of things must be taken into account to guarantee the wellbeing of the particular species. As a result, make daily additions to your observations and actions.

The following care requirements are among them:

fluorescent or LED plant lights, as well as UVB lamps.
a variety of insects, primarily ants.
Flyers, mealworms, and crickets make up an unconventional but conventional and sufficient diet.
supplements with additional vitamins.
It needs a tall, wide cage with lots of leaves and branches.

Container and Tank

The tank may be made of glass or screened and misted more. The absolute minimal size for low-space scenarios is more than two feet deep, two feet wide, and two feet high. For these intriguing yet delicate reptiles, we advise selecting the largest size.

In order to properly mimic their native environment, there should also be plenty of branches and leaves and soft, compactable ground where females can lay their eggs.

Heating and Lighting

Philippine flying dragons love to be active throughout the day; they can only function with a maximum of 12 hours of daylight. They also favor the early and late hours of the day.

For them to survive, a UVB enclosure with ample hiding spots is necessary. In order to replace UVB bulbs, a UV radiometer can be used. For the purpose of promoting plant development and the basking area, extra fluorescent or LED bulbs are advised.

Increased UVB output benefits reptile habitats because it can prevent or treat the metabolic bone disease that is frequently seen in captive reptiles.

The tank should have separate “cool” and “bathing” sides, each with a different temperature. To check and adjust the temperature, use two thermometers.

The flying dragons of the Philippines take pleasure in the heat. It should be between 90°F and 95°F in the sunbathing area.
The rest of the tank should be between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and 10 degrees lower at night.
Better conditions might be needed for a restless Philippine Flying Dragon that doesn’t go for periods of inactivity lasting 1-3 hours. In the outdoors, when temperatures are greater, the lizard often naps from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Temperatures and humidity should be relatively high in general. By spraying the tank continuously throughout the day, it is possible to keep the moisture level in the tank narrowly greater than or equal to 75%.

Substrate

Substrate A soft, compactable dirt is what we advise utilizing. Since males rarely touch the ground, a fiber moss substrate is ideal for them because it makes cleanup and waste disposal simpler.

For successful reproduction, however, female reptiles require a bioactive substrate. When bacterial development is noticed, this substrate—which should be made up of a blend of leaves, bark, and coconut coir—should be routinely cleaned or changed.

What Does a Philippine Flying Dragon Eat?

These critters pursue insects covertly and viciously, attacking their prey when it comes within range. While ants should make up the majority of their diet (50–99%), captive-bred dragons may also be fed other protein-rich insects as a supplement or main source, such as mealworms, waxworms, flies, or plump crickets.

Flying dragons consume termites, caterpillars, caterpillar larvae, ladybugs, millipedes, leaf beetles, ants, and other insects in the wild.

Wild-caught juvenile dragons must be fed ants every day to help them adjust to life in captivity. Later, add a variety of insects to their diet by giving them smaller insects every other day and observing their preferences. Include calcium and vitamin pills multiple times per week for optimal results.

How to Maintain Their Health

Captive-bred young can be difficult for inexperienced keepers to maintain alive, and wild-caught animals frequently arrive in poor condition and struggle to adjust. These animals must be watched closely at all times to make sure they feed, drink, and adjust.

Additionally, because these sensitive animals are susceptible to dehydration, it is crucial to give them a home that is appropriately moist. Beginners shouldn’t attempt the task unless you want to buy a significant number of them to reproduce in captivity.

Upkeep of their Tank

Every week or two, swap out the main substrates made of fiber and biomix, as well as any other substrates in need of repair. And every day, clean specific areas to get rid of stale food, waste, or contaminated water.

How Long Do Philippine Flying Dragon Live?

Healthy adults live for 8 to 10 years in the wild. Nevertheless, in captivity, that number may go down based on the keeper’s level of expertise. You can detect and treat any ailments before they overpower your lizard companion by being aware of the symptoms of an unwell flying dragon.

A healthy Philippine flying dragon is responsive to handling, wanders between different sections of its tank, is peaceful when resting, and has typical eating and drinking habits.

On the other hand, if your dragon is ill, it may appear anxious, refuse food or water, and act erratically at night.

Behavior

The species tends to live in groups of two to three trees and is territorial in its native habitat. Males that are interested in the same area may become combative. Usually, the dominant lizard chases the loser away and accepts one or two more females nearby.

They lengthen their dewlap to appear scary and use their patagium to make themselves appear larger while bobbing their bodies up and down when they feel threatened.

Men should never live together since doing so can result in tragic accidents.

Handling

Wash your hands both before and after handling your Philippine Flying Dragon to stop the spread of dangerous bacteria. You should be aware that they dislike human contact. They often lash out and make an effort to bite you when they are grabbed.

Appearance

Their entire patagium is covered in a recognizable pattern. Their heads are trapezoidal, thin, and slender. On females, the dewlap is shorter. Additionally, they have throat lappets, a pair of tiny “wings” that wrap around their heads, that extend horizontally from the sides of their neck.

Additionally, they have a wattle in their neck that aids in dissipating extra heat.

Size

The length of an adult Philippine flying dragon ranges from 8 to 12 inches. It will weigh about 25.58 g and ought to get there in about 24 months.

Colors

The Philippine flying dragon is known for having the following characteristics:

The dewlap can be green, yellow, or whitish-blue in color.
Body in brown or green.
The orange-yellow base of the wings.
Black dots that are evenly spaced out throughout the wing.
a wingtip dark spot (thoracic ribs).
In rare circumstances, the wings might not have their natural color.

See more:

Philippine Flying Dragon Babies

When observed, Philippine flying dragons frequently withdraw. To impress a woman, a male may frequently circle her and fan out his membranes in a subtle or casual manner when he is interested in pursuing her.

These animals mate in the wild in the months of December and January. The female then uses her head to construct a little hole in the ground where she will lay her eggs. A clutch typically consists of five eggs, which the female covers with soil using the top of her head.

Before leaving her nest, the female flying dragon will protect it for around 24 hours. The eggs will next need to be incubated for about 32 days.

How Much Does a Philippine Flying Dragon Cost?

If you can find one, be prepared to spend more for Philippine flying dragon species. The common flying dragon (Draco volans), on the other hand, costs between $40 and 65 for infants and $200 for adults.

Care Guide Synopsis

These lizards are favored by fans of fantasy because of their distinctive dragon aesthetic. While Philippine flying dragons are rare reptiles and require professional handling owing to their fragile nature, they are quiet when kept undisturbed in captivity.

They thrive on an insect diet and have certain heating, moisture, and lighting requirements. For people who are new to owning reptiles, the flying gecko might be a better choice.

It’s crucial to treat a Philippine Flying Dragon like a baby if you’re fortunate enough to have one in your home.

Philippine Flying Dragon: Species Profile and Care Guide

Short Facts