Meet the Draco Lizard
In Meet the Draco Lizard, narrator Sir David Attenborough watches a Draco lizard search for an ideal tree in which to eat ants and settle. However, the tree the lizard finds is already occupied by another Draco lizard, which extends the flap under its neck to instigate a fight. The trespassing lizard runs to the end of a branch and then takes a flying leap, gliding to the safety of another tree. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth II, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: What is the purpose of the flap under the Draco’s chin?
A: The Draco stretches out the flap to intimidate a rival and signal that it is ready to fight for its territory.
Q: What are the two ways the Draco can move tree to tree?
A: The Draco can either crawl on all fours up the tree trunk, or it can leap from tree branch to tree branch.
Q: What allows the Draco to leap through the air like a dragon?
A: As the lizard leaps from a high branch, it extends its limbs. Flaps of skin on either side of the Draco spread wide to allow it to glide a great distance and land on its feet on another tree trunk.
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