A Reddit user captured rare photos of gliding lizards in Indonesia that look like miniature dragons—complete with rib-supported “wings” that let them fly through the forest canopy.
Tiny ‘Dragons’ Soar Through Indonesian Skies, Captured in Stunning Photographs
In the dense, vibrant jungles of Buton, Indonesia, a breathtaking encounter with nature has captivated the internet. Reddit user Biophilia_curiosus, a passionate nature enthusiast and aspiring conservation biologist working with Operation Wallacea, shared a remarkable series of photos showcasing a real-life gliding lizard—a creature that looks like it flew straight out of the world of Avatar. These lizards, often referred to as “flying dragons,” are members of the Draco genus, known for their unique ability to glide between trees using extended rib bones that support flaps of skin acting like wings.
In an incredible example of evolutionary adaptation, these ribs can fan outward at will, allowing the reptiles to soar gracefully through the forest canopy. “The wildest part?” Biophilia_curiosus wrote in the Reddit post. “Those wing-like structures aren’t just skin—they’re actually extended ribs! Evolution did a number on these guys.” According to the post, they witnessed mostly females on the ground laying eggs, while males glided overhead, showing off their aerial prowess. These photos were taken in the Lambusango Forest Reserve, a biologically rich region of Sulawesi that remains largely unexplored. Although the exact species hasn’t been confirmed in the thread, it likely belongs to the Draco genus—possibly Draco volans, a known species of gliding lizard found in Southeast Asia.
The striking resemblance of these gliding lizards to the flying creatures from James Cameron’s Avatar, especially the fearsome Toruk, hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans. It’s not every day you see a tiny dragon darting through the sky, reminding us of how incredible and surreal nature can be.
As Biophilia_curiosus continues their journey toward becoming a conservation biologist, their close encounter with these rare creatures serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving biodiversity hotspots like Lambusango. With ongoing threats to rainforest habitats, these small wonders might one day vanish without us ever fully understanding them.
For now, we’re just lucky someone was there with a camera—and the curiosity to look up.
