Fan Lizard

At first glance, this unique lizard appears to be little more than a dull, ruler-length reptile with few apparent virtues. When agitated, however, it unfurls like an antique Chinese fan and spins away to safety. In an instant, it morphs from pitiful to beautiful and then, just as rapidly, is once again a rather common-looking lizard. (Read more)

Understandably, the fan lizard is a favorite among young Na'vi, who cherish this natural spectacle. At every opportunity, a Na'vi child will run through a field of ferns to disturb a group of resting fan lizards, and then marvel as the luminous magenta and purple discs float to the safety of a nearby branch. In the Pandoran twilight, this shimmering flight is strangely alien even to the Na'vi. 

An ancient dance (usually performed by children) celebrates the lizard. Two dancers stand side by side to create a rigid "spine." Another group of children run by and taunt the pair, at which point the entwined dancers "unfurl" into a circular shape and "float" in a zig-zag pattern through the other dancers. This dance is usually accompanied by hufwe or "wind" instruments.

Quick Facts

Common NameFan Lizard
TaxonomyFanisaurus pennatus or “winged fan lizard”.
HabitatRainforest, with a preference for large ferns.
AnatomySpine-like structure that unfurls into a magenta and purple bioluminescent membrane.
Feeding EcologyNocturnal land omnivore that feeds on tree sap and small insects. Often feed in swarms.
SizeUp to forty-five centimeters long in folded position. Roughly one meter across when unfurled.
NotesGiven the Pandoran gravity and air density, the rapid opening of the lizard produces enough angular momentum to create lift, which startles predators and removes the fan lizard from danger in one move.

Fan Lizard

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Quick Facts