Reptile · GBIF taxon 11064223
Short-legged Japalure
Diploderma brevipesAlso known as Short-legged Tree Lizard, Taiwan Short-legged Agama
Short-legged japalures thrive in the cool mountain forests of Taiwan, where they perch on lower tree trunks and forest-edge shrubs. Males defend territories through rhythmic head-bobbing and dewlap extension, displaying bright yellow-green spots on a dark body. Females lay small egg clutches in moist forest floor leaf litter during the warmer months.
EndemicDiurnalReptile
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Crickets
- Beetles
- Caterpillars
Predators
- Snakes
- Birds of prey
- Small carnivorous mammals
ThreatsHabitat loss from mountain road development and agricultural expansion
HabitatsMontane forest edges and clearings at elevations of 1,100 to 2,200 meters
Life span5–8 years
Classification
- FamilyAgamidae
- SpeciesDiploderma brevipes
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to humans but may bite if captured; observe quietly from trail edges.
- What to notice
- Identified by its short hind limbs, green female coloration, or black-and-yellow male pattern.
- Support conservation
- Remain on marked trails to protect sensitive egg-laying sites in moss and leaf litter.
Responsible observation
- Scan Low Trunks: Look for basking individuals on sunlit lower tree trunks and mossy rocks.
- Move Cautiously: Approach slowly along trail margins to avoid startling territorial males.
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · cc0
Close Relative (c) Yung-Lun Lin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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