{{Short description|Species of lizard}} {{Multiple issues| {{Tone|date=March 2026}} {{More citations needed|date=March 2026}} }} {{speciesbox | name = Indo-Chinese forest lizard | image = Bangkok Reptiles Blue crested Lizard.jpg | image_caption = ''Calotes mystaceus'' | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn |last1=Wogan |first1=G. |last2=Lwin |first2=K. |last3=Golynsky |first3=E. |last4=Milto |first4=K. |last5=Nguyen |first5=N.S. |last6=Nguyen |first6=T.Q. |last7=Cai |first7=B. |last8=Rao |first8=D.-Q. |last9=Das |first9=A. |year=2021 |title=''Calotes mystaceus'' |volume=2021 |article-number=e.T104635228A104635376 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T104635228A104635376.en |access-date=1 March 2026}}</ref> | genus = Calotes | species = mystaceus | authority = Duméril & Bibron, 1837<ref>Duméril, A. M. C. and G. Bibron. 1837 Erpétologie Générale ou Histoire Naturelle Complete des Reptiles. Vol. 4. Libr. Encyclopédique Roret, Paris.</ref> }}

'''''Calotes mystaceus''''', the '''Indo-Chinese forest lizard''' or '''blue crested lizard''', is an agamid lizard found in China, South Asia and Southeast Asia.<ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species |genus=Calotes |species=mystaceus |accessdate=22 July 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Calotes mystaceus manipur.JPG|thumb|left|''Calotes mystaceus'' in Keibul Lamjao National Park, India.|209x209px]] ==Description and identification== left|thumb|Thailand.|209x209px Physical Structure: Upper head-scales smooth or feebly keeled, imbricate, scarcely enlarged on supraorbital region; a few small spines on each side of the head above the tympanum; latter measuring at least half the diameter of the orbit. Gular sac small; gular scales feebly keeled, as large as dorsals. An oblique fold in front of the shoulder. Dorso-nuchal crest well developed in the male, composed of falciform spines directed backwards, the longest measuring the diameter of the orbit; it gradually decreases in height on the back, being reduced to a mere denticulation on the sacrum. 45-53 scales round the middle of the body; dorsal scales keeled, nearly twice as large as ventrals, all directed upwards and backwards; ventral scales strongly keeled. The adpressed hind limb reaches the tympanum or the posterior border of the orbit; fourth finger slightly longer than the third. Tail a little compressed, at the base with a slightly serrated upper ridge.

Color Pattern: Background color grey to olive, frequently with large transverse red spots on the back; lips yellowish.<ref>Boulenger, G. A. 1890. Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Batrachia.</ref>

Length: Maximum: 42&nbsp;cm. Common: 28&nbsp;cm. (Snout to vent 9.5&nbsp;cm).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/colorful-new-lizard-vietnam-animals-science/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117092843/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/colorful-new-lizard-vietnam-animals-science/ |archive-date=2013-01-17 |title=Colorful New Lizard Identified in Vietnam}}</ref>thumb|Male ''Calotes mystaceus'' from Thailand

==Distribution== Cambodia, China (Yunnan), India (Mizoram), Laos, Myanmar (Tenasserim to Naypyitaw = Naypyitaw, Mandalay, and Kachin State [26°00N, 97°30E]), Thailand (Chiang Saen) (north of the Isthmus of Kra), & Vietnam (South).<ref name="RDB" /> It is also reported from Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts), adjacent to Mizoram province of India.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

==Vernacular names== * {{langx|bn|নীল-মাথা গিরিগিটি|translit=Neel-matha girigiti}} or {{langx|bn|নীলা রক্তচোষা|label=none}} (proposed)

* {{langx|my|ပုတ်သင်ညို|translit=Pote Thin Nyo}}

* {{lang-zh|白唇树蜥}}

* English: Blue-crested lizard, Indo-Chinese bloodsucker, Indo-Chinese forest lizard, White-lipped calotes

* {{langx|hi|girgit}}

* {{Langx|km|បង្គួយក្បាលខៀវខាងលិចទន្លេមេគង្គ}}

* {{langx|lo|ກະປອມ|translit=gabpom}}

* {{langx|th|กะปอม|translit=gabpawm}} or {{langx|th|กิ้งก่า|translit=(ginggaa)|label=none}}

==Habitat== Terrestrial & arboreal; diurnal; naturally found in forest, but can be found in treed neighborhoods and city parks.

==Diet== Feeds on crickets, grasshoppers, moths, and other insects.

==Reproduction== The Indo-Chinese forest lizard is oviparous.<ref name=RDB/>

==Uses== No known practical uses. Plays an insectivorous role in its ecosystem.

==Threat to humans== Non-venomous and harmless to humans. Can give a painful bite if handled, but is not dangerous.

==References== {{Reflist|2}} * Hallermann, J. 2005 Mit Hörnern, Kämmen und Gleithäuten - die bizarren Baumagamen. Reptilia (Münster) 10 (1): 18-25

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2548440}}

mystaceus Category:Reptiles of Cambodia Category:Reptiles of China Category:Lizards of India Category:Reptiles of Laos Category:Reptiles of Myanmar Category:Lizards of Thailand Category:Lizards of Vietnam Category:Reptiles described in 1837 Category:Taxa named by André Marie Constant Duméril Category:Taxa named by Gabriel Bibron