The Philippine Sailfin Lizard or Hydrosaurus pustulatus is also called the Crested Lizard, Sail-fin Lizard, Sailfin Water Lizard, Soa-soa Water Lizard, and its native name “Ibid” is an oviparous lizard endemic only in the Philippines.
It is an excellent swimmer and loves to live around a habitat very near the water. It is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, flowers, vegetables, insects, and small animals. The Philippines is tropical and it can be hot and wet all the time in the forest an this is what this Lizard really likes.
Finding it in Cagayan De Oro is quite a story, personally I never knew that this animal exist and Harry Miller suggested that we go find it and Dr. MiguelDavid De Leon agreed to take us there in which it was also the first time for him. To get there was a little bit tricky and a soon as we arrived, we had to find the exact place in a congested village. We then saw two of these on the street and they were running away going a residential compound. We parked the our van and followed the Lizard and we met the family who took care of them for a very long time.
The story is; one Philippine Sailfin Lizard came into their compound and stayed there for some days and they fed it, it was wild and they remained wild up to this day, as the Lizards got comfortable they multiplied and multiplied and they are so many now. The house of this family is at the river bank so it is perfect also for the Lizards to hang around on trees, roots, coconut trees, and they are just swimming nearby and across the river.
Thanks a lot MiguelDavid De Leon for all that you have done to us and the opportunity to see the authentic wildlife in Mindanao. Returning and visiting Cinchona, Siargao, and other places is another adventure to look forward.
Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
April 8, 2018
Nikon D500 + Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Fotopro TS-85C | Fotopro WH-30 | Carry Speed FS-Pro | Nitecore UNK1
