Leiolepis
| Leiolepidinae (subfamily) Leiolepis (genus) |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Common butterfly lizard, L. belliana | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Subfamily: | Leiolepidinae |
| Genus: |
Leiolepis Cuvier, 1829 |
| Species | |
|
8 spp., see text |
|
8 spp., see text
Leiolepis, commonly known as butterfly lizards or butterfly agamas (Thai: แย้), are group of agamid lizards of which very little is known. They are native to Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. They are terrestrial lizards and prefer to live in arid, open regions.
Leiolepis is the sole genus of subfamily Leiolepidinae.
At least eight species are recognized:
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Leiolepis.
Butterfly lizards are popular in the pet trade.
In the northeast region of Thailand it is popular catch butterfly lizards and eat them. In the South Central Coast region of Vietnam, especially in Ninh Thuan Province, Leiolepis is considered a delicacy for its nutrional value and can fetch high price on the market.
In Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand, there is a traditional game called "yæ̂ lng rū" (แย้ลงรู; literally: "butterfly lizards hole down").
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Wikipedia