A team of researchers in Thailand has discovered a new species of mountain horned dragon lizard and given it a name that will thrill House of the Dragon fans: Acanthosaura syrax. The species was found in Mae Wong National Park and officially described in the journal ZooKeys. The name honors Syrax, Rhaenyra Targaryen’s dragon, drawing a playful connection between the lizard’s traits and the fiery beast from Westeros.
Quick read
- New species: Acanthosaura syrax
- Location: Mae Wong National Park, western Thailand
- Traits: Yellowish tones, small size, large egg clutches
Why Syrax was chosen
Lead researcher Poramad Trivalairat explained that the lizard’s features reminded them of Syrax. The species has yellowish‑green coloring, is smaller than other members of its genus, and lays unusually large clutches of eggs. These traits echo Syrax’s description in George R.R. Martin’s lore as a dragon with golden coloring, modest size compared to other dragons, and prolific egg‑laying.
Trivalairat et al., 2026
Unique traits of the lizard
Beyond the nod to Westeros, A. syrax stands out scientifically. It has the smallest neck and back crest scales of any Acanthosaura species, a distinctive dark collar marking, and lacks the black eye patch seen in related lizards. These features helped researchers confirm it as a new species.
Conservation concerns
The lizard has only been observed in high‑altitude evergreen forests above 4,265 feet in Mae Wong National Park. Its populations are fragmented due to rugged terrain, making it vulnerable to habitat loss. Scientists hope A. syrax can serve as a flagship species for conservation in the region, alongside rare animals like the Asian forest tortoise and Indochinese tiger.
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