Thos of you working with acanthosaura, may find it confusing when it comes to scales size and pattern. Most sub-species have different scalation because they live in different habitats.
In general except for ornamental scales (horn ,crest) scales in tree dragons are mostly designed to evacuate water, this is why locality is very important when identifying acanthosaura, what sets them apart is the amount of rain fall between localities, the dryer habitat acanthosaura have the smaller body and belly scales, while the rainier habitat acanthosaura have the most keeled scales. If you look closely the scales of your dragon, you will notice some have pointing keels these are designed to expel water drops away from the lizards body, when these scales are numerous the lizard inhabits rainier habitats.

The belly scales of all acanthosaura are very keeled, this allows water and air the flow between the lizards and tree’s, allowing then to dry faster

Some smaller species like lepidogaster have the most keeled belly scales of all acanthosaura ssp, I believe this is because this specie spends a lot more time on the ground searching food in decaying logs then other acanthosaura’s, shorter horns and crest allows them to hide under roots and rocks. My personal observation surly points to this theory.

Coronata and crucigera both have much smaller belly scales then lepidogaster, they appear to occupy a dryer habitat and may be more arboreal hunters then most acanthosaura’s.



Of course this doesn’t change a thing in regards to captive husbandry, we have no need to drench these lizards in anyway. Well hydrated cages and available water is all they need.

I post this for all to read, this way I don’t keep it private in emails.
So pleas don’t be offended if I answer your questions on this forum.

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