Deep in the rainforests of Borneo, enigmatic creatures lurk near waterways: the earless lizards, or Lanthanotus borneensis. These reptiles, resembling miniature dragons, captivate with their uniqueness.
Lanthanotus borneensis. Portrait of a female. Prague Zoo. 17.12.2016. Photo Petr Hamerník
These lizards, the sole representatives of the Lanthanotidae family, stand out due to their lack of external ears and translucent lower eyelids, which enable them to see underwater. They can grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) long, with slender bodies, small legs, and a prehensile tail.
Lanthanotus borneensis hide during the day under vegetation and rocks. At night, they emerge to feed on invertebrates and small fish, both on land and in water. Their granular skin provides natural camouflage, enhanced by the mud that clings to it.
Their subterranean lifestyle appears to be an adaptation to Borneo's humid and rugged environment. These animals use their tails as anchors to avoid being swept away by floods. They also reproduce in water during prolonged mating sessions.
These lizards were once considered a missing link between snakes and lizards, but this hypothesis has been disproven. Despite their scientific interest, they remain understudied. Their habitat is threatened by deforestation, and they fall victim to the exotic pet trade.
Despite their prehistoric appearance, these lizards are not living fossils but witnesses to evolution, having diverged millions of years ago. They illustrate the hidden diversity of tropical ecosystems and the need to preserve them.