Meet the Emerald Dragon Lizard That Turns Black When Scared

Calotes iadina, the "emerald dragon lizard," is a new species described in 2024 from western Myanmar near India's border.

It glows lime-green but can turn brownish-black when stressed — a quick mood signal, not chameleon camouflage.

The lizard runs about 16 inches long, with two rows of back spikes and a Y-shaped mark across its eyes.

DNA showed at least 11% divergence, revealing the old "Jerdon's forest lizard" was actually three hidden species.

It belongs to the same Calotes group as India's familiar garden lizard, the so-called "bloodsucker."