At first glance it may resemble a small prehistoric dinosaur, but it is neither a dinosaur nor an unknown creature. It is a mountain horned dragon, recently spotted by rangers from the Pursat Provincial Environment Department and trekking tourists at the green recreation area on ភ្នំទំព័រ, in ភ្នំសំកុស Wildlife Sanctuary. The area, at an elevation of 1,551 metres, is in ប្រម៉ោយ commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat province, according to the Ministry of Environment.
The hikers said they had encountered an unusual lizard of a kind they rarely saw among other wildlife and had not previously seen in other Cambodian protected areas. The report gives its scientific name as Acanthosaura, commonly known as the mountain horned dragon.
Its distinguishing features include horn-like projections and sharp spines on the head, together with a row of long spines along its back. Its brown or earth-coloured body helps it blend with branches, dry wood and the surrounding forest. It favours dense forest, mountainous areas and cool, humid places. The account describes the animal as non-venomous and not dangerous to people, and says it feeds on small insects.
Cambodia’s protected natural areas are valuable natural heritage and important habitats for biodiversity. They cover approximately 41 percent of the country’s land area.
By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
