Elliot's forest lizard (Monilesaurus ellioti)

Elliot's forest lizard, scientifically known as Monilesaurus ellioti, is a species of arboreal and diurnal lizard belonging to the Agamidae family. This species is exclusively found in the Western Ghats region of India, inhabiting a variety of environments from sea level up to 1,100 meters.

Habitat and Distribution

The lizard's natural range spans across several key areas within the Western Ghats, including the Anaimalai, Agasthyamalai, Cardamom Hills, Palni Hills, Nilgiris, Waynad, Coorg, and Kudremukh regions. It thrives in humid rainforests as well as in agricultural landscapes adjacent to these forests, such as coffee, cardamom, tea, areca, and vanilla plantations.

Physical Characteristics

Monilesaurus ellioti exhibits several distinctive physical traits. Its coloration is typically olive, marked with more or less discernible dark-brown crossbands across the body. The head scales are feebly keeled and imbricate, becoming notably larger on the supraorbital region. It possesses small spines, particularly behind the supraciliary edge and above the tympanum. A prominent feature is the nuchal crest, formed by widely separated, slender spines, while the dorsal crest is merely a denticulation. The gular scales are strongly keeled, and the ventral scales are also keeled. Anatomically, the adpressed hind limb extends to the anterior border of the orbit or the tip of the snout, and the fourth finger is longer than the third. The tail is not significantly compressed.

Size

Elliot's forest lizard can grow to a snout-to-vent length of approximately 7.6 centimeters (3 inches). Its tail is considerably longer, measuring around 22 centimeters (8.5 inches).

Behavior and Reproduction

As a diurnal species, Elliot's forest lizard is active during the day. It is oviparous, meaning it reproduces by laying eggs. The specific ecological role and behavioral patterns beyond these documented traits are not extensively detailed in available records.