Hydrosaurus pustulatus

Philippine Sailfin Lizard

Its outline belongs to the meeting place of forest and water.

Reference photo, not the individual on display. Credits appear below.

Care commitment Plan for adult size

Habitat Land & water

Visiting Watch quietly

Meet your new acquaintance

Nickname Little Sailboat

Diurnal; uses trees, land and water

Species highlights

A sail along the back and tail

An adult male’s crests can make a sail-like silhouette; females and young need not look equally dramatic.

This is a comparison of shape, not a wind-powered sail. Water movement still depends on the animal’s body and tail, and visible structures do not establish every proposed function.

Start with the crest, then follow toes, hind limbs and routes between branches and water. The conspicuous outline becomes an entrance into the rest of its riverside life.

Feature sources:

Little Rock Zoo · Sailfin Dragon

At a glance

The Philippine sailfin lizard uses a world of riverbanks, branches and water. By day it can bask on a perch or along the bank, then retreat into the water when disturbed. A pool is therefore part of its usable habitat, alongside secure dry resting places.

On branches, toes and claws find support; in water, body and tail movements change. A riverside branch may therefore connect basking and escape routes.

This egg-laying omnivore uses animal and plant resources. Growth changes weight, crests and spatial needs, linking climbing, swimming and the familiar sail as parts of one animal’s life.

Common names Philippine Sailfin Lizard; Hydrosaurus pustulatus

Scientific name Hydrosaurus pustulatus

Native rangeThe Philippine archipelago

Adult sizeCan approach or exceed 1 m total length

ActivityDiurnal; uses trees, land and water

Diet Omnivorous: offer suitable leafy plants, vegetables and appropriately sized, supplemented insects. Adjust the balance to age and condition; fruit is a small addition rather than a complete diet.

Habitat & care

Provide a large land-and-water enclosure, load-bearing branches, clean filtered water, UVB and a basking area with ventilation.

Values guide routine care, not breeding or brumation. Dimensions are length × width × height for one adult unless stated otherwise; larger animals need more space.

TemperatureLocal warm area About 35°C BION keeper reference: daytime air 26–28°C; night 24–26°C.

Humidity80–100% BION’s high-humidity scheme depends on a large ventilated facility; do not chase 100% in a small sealed wet enclosure.

LightingUVB & shade Choose UVB intensity and distance for the species, with a fully shaded retreat.

Space200×100×180 cm Recommended starting size for one animal; include a cleanable pool with safe exits and strong branches.

Look a little closer

Trace the crest from back to tail and compare the height and outline of the two sails. Watch the toes grip a branch and the tail follow a turn. At the water’s edge, compare limb and tail movements as it moves between land and water.

Care note: Never tap the glass or chase it into the pool.

About this profile

The Philippine sailfin lizard is Hydrosaurus pustulatus. Other members of the genus also have sails; species identification uses morphology and provenance.

Profile status: Reference profile · Reviewed 2026-10-20

References (5)

Behaviour notes describe the species, not a promise about every individual. These care notes introduce its needs; ask our team about the animal on display and any supervised encounters.