"China's Exotic Surprise: Newly Discovered Iguana"

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Get ready to meet the latest addition to Asia’s reptilian realm! An extraordinary iguana has been unveiled in China, marking a thrilling discovery for scientists. This captivating find has been officially documented in ZooKeys, the renowned open-access journal, revealing an exciting addition to the continent’s diverse reptile family.

New reptile on the block: A new iguana species discovered in China

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Published on: January 2, 2024 Description:

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Hey there, nature enthusiasts! I’ve got some exciting news to share with you today. A brand new iguana species has been discovered in China! How cool is that? Scientists have officially described this new species in a journal called ZooKeys, which is open-access, meaning anyone can read it. Let’s dive into the details and learn more about this fascinating reptile.

A unique addition to Asia’s reptile fauna

The new iguana species, named Wang’s garden lizard (Calotes wangi), is a small reptile measuring less than 9 cm long. One of its standout features is its orange tongue. How cool is that? These lizards can be found in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests and tropical monsoon forests in southern China and northern Vietnam. They love hanging out in mountainous areas, hills, and even urban green belts.

What do they do all day?

Wang’s garden lizards are most active from April to October every year. In the tropics, they can be active from March to November or even longer. They have quite an appetite and enjoy feasting on insects, spiders, and other arthropods. Yum!

When it comes to their behavior, these lizards like to hang out at the edge of the forest. If they sense danger, they quickly hide in bushes or climb tree trunks. At night, they sleep on sloping shrub branches, snuggling up close to the branches. How adorable!

Protecting their habitat

While the researchers believe that the new species is not currently threatened, they have noticed that some of their habitats are fragmented. This means that the lizards’ homes are broken up into smaller pieces, which can make it harder for them to survive.

Not only that, but these lizards are also used medicinally and are even eaten in some areas. That’s why the researchers suggest that the local government should pay close attention to the population dynamics of these lizards and strengthen the protection of their ecological environment. It’s important to make sure these unique creatures have a safe and thriving habitat to call home.

Discovering new species

Discovering a new species is always an exciting event for scientists. It shows us just how diverse and amazing our planet is. Wang’s garden lizard is a fantastic addition to Asia’s rich reptile fauna, and it’s incredible to think that there are still so many more species waiting to be discovered.

So next time you’re out exploring nature, keep your eyes peeled for any new creatures you might come across. You never know, you might just stumble upon a new species yourself! Happy exploring, everyone!

SOURCE: New reptile on the block: A new iguana species discovered in China

https://phys.org/news/2023-12-reptile-block-iguana-species-china.html

FAQs

1. What is the name of the new iguana species discovered in China?

The new iguana species discovered in China is called Wang’s garden lizard (Calotes wangi).

2. Where can Wang’s garden lizards be found?

Wang’s garden lizards can be found in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests and tropical monsoon forests in southern China and northern Vietnam. They also inhabit mountainous areas, hills, and urban green belts.

3. What do Wang’s garden lizards eat?

Wang’s garden lizards have a hearty appetite and enjoy feeding on insects, spiders, and other arthropods.

4. How do Wang’s garden lizards behave?

Wang’s garden lizards are most active from April to October and tend to hang out at the edge of the forest. When they sense danger, they quickly hide in bushes or climb tree trunks. At night, they sleep on sloping shrub branches.

5. What is the importance of protecting the habitat of Wang’s garden lizards?

While the new species is not currently threatened, the fragmentation of their habitats and their use in traditional medicine and as food pose potential risks. It is important to monitor their population dynamics and strengthen the protection of their ecological environment to ensure their survival and thriving habitat.