Draco volans, or the flying dragon, is a gliding lizard that primarily eats insects such as ants, termites, and beetles. It catches prey using these steps:
- Gliding: It extends wing-like skin folds from a high perch to create a large surface area.
- Jumping: It pushes off with its hind legs to launch into the air.
- Maneuvering: It adjusts direction and speed mid-air using its skin folds.
- Catching Prey: It spots insects with sharp eyesight and captures them with a long, sticky, mucus-covered tongue.
- Consuming Prey: It swallows insects whole, as it cannot chew.
This gliding ability allows Draco volans to reach insects that would otherwise be inaccessible.