Thailand discovery of new lizard species named after House of the Dragon

Scientists have identified a new species of horned lizard in the high-altitude forests of Mae Wong National Park, Thailand. Named Acanthosaura syrax, the species was named in homage to the dragon Syrax from the series ‘House of the Dragon’.

Researchers Poramad and Krittiya Trivalairat collected specimens at altitudes exceeding 1,300 meters during expeditions in April and May 2025. Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed the lizard belongs to a distinct evolutionary lineage within the Acanthosaura genus, commonly known as ‘horned mountain dragons’.

The species was chosen for its resemblance to the fictional dragon based on three traits: its yellowish coloration (males exhibit greenish-yellow tones on the lips and neck, while females are pale yellow or cream), its relatively small size, and its high fecundity, with females laying between six and 16 eggs.