Paralaudakia himalayana
Paralaudakia himalayana·Agamidae
The Himalayan agama (Paralaudakia himalayana) is a lizard species native to Central and South Asia, characterized by its depressed head, strongly plicate throat, and a tail that is 2.5 to 3 times the length of its body from the gular fold to the vent. It is typically olive in color, marbled with black and often featuring light spots that create a network pattern. Males exhibit distinctive thickened pre-anal scales.
Key Facts
- ›Found in Central Asia and South Asia, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, Nepal, and parts of China, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
- ›Possesses a depressed head with a snout slightly longer than the eye's diameter.
- ›Features small, smooth scales on the neck and sides, with enlarged, roundish-hexagonal scales on the vertebral region.
- ›Males have a double or triple row of thickened pre-anal scales.
- ›Coloration is typically olive, marbled with black, and often marked with light spots forming a network.
- ›The tail is rounded, depressed at the base, and significantly longer than its body from the gular fold to the vent.
Himalayan Agama
Ne Afghanistan, N Pakistan, Kashmir, Nepal, China, Se Turkmenistan, W Tajikistan, W Kyrgyzstan, E Uzbekistan
- Head Much Depressed; Snout Slightly Longer Than Diameter of Orbit.
- Nostril Lateral, Below the Canthus Rostralis, Slightly Tubular.
- Upper Head-Scales Smooth; Occipital Not Enlarged; Small Closely Set Spinose Scales On the Head Near the Ear, and On the Neck; Ear Entirely Exposed, Larger Than the Eye-Opening.
- Throat Strongly Plicate; No Gular Pouch.
- Body Depressed, With A More Or Less Distinct Fold On Each Side of the Back.
- Scales On the Neck and Sides Small, Smooth Or Very Feebly Keeled, Uniform.
- Scales On the Vertebral Region Enlarged, Equal, Roundish-Hexagonal, Imbricate, Smooth Or Very Feebly Keeled.
- Ventral Scales Smooth, A Little Smaller Than the Enlarged Dorsals.
- Limbs Strong, With Compressed Digits; Scales On the Upper Surface Large and Strongly Keeled.
- Fourth Finger Slightly Longer Than Third; Fourth Toe Considerably Longer Than Third, the Extremity of the Claw of the Latter Not Reaching the Base of the Claw of the Former; Fifth Toe Extending Beyond First.
- Tail Rounded, Much Depressed At the Base, Covered With Moderate-Sized Strongly Keeled Scales Arranged In Rings.
- Tail Length Equals 2.5 To 3 Times the Distance From Gular Fold To Vent.
- Males With A Double Or Triple Row of Thickened Pre-Anal Scales.
- Coloration: Olive Above, Marbled With Black, and Generally With Round Light Spots Producing A Network.
- Sometimes the Black Spots Forming A Festooned Band On Each Side of the Vertebral Line.
- Male's Throat Marbled With Blackish.
About Paralaudakia himalayana
Paralaudakia himalayana: The Himalayan Agama
The Himalayan agama, scientifically known as Paralaudakia himalayana, is a species of lizard found across Central and South Asia. Its natural range extends through countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, China, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
Description and Characteristics
This agamid lizard is characterized by a noticeably depressed head, with a snout that is slightly longer than the diameter of its orbit. The scales on the upper part of the head are smooth, while smaller, spinose scales are present near the ear and on the neck. The throat displays strong folds, and the body is also depressed, often with distinct folds on each side of the back. The scales on the neck and sides are small and smooth or only faintly keeled, contrasting with the enlarged, roundish-hexagonal, imbricate scales found in the vertebral region. Ventral scales are smooth and slightly smaller than these dorsal scales.
The limbs are robust, featuring compressed digits covered in large, strongly keeled scales on the upper surface. Distinctive features include the fourth finger being slightly longer than the third, and the fourth toe being considerably longer than the third. The tail is rounded, depressed at its base, and covered in moderately sized, strongly keeled scales arranged in rings. The length of the tail typically measures 2.5 to 3 times the distance from the gular fold to the vent.
Coloration plays a significant role in its appearance. The Himalayan agama is generally olive above, marbled with black. It often exhibits round, light-colored spots that create a network-like pattern across its body. In males, this pattern can sometimes involve black spots forming a festooned band along each side of the vertebral line, and their throats are often marbled with blackish hues. A notable sexual dimorphism is present in males, which possess a double or triple row of thickened pre-anal scales.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name for the Himalayan agama?
The scientific name for the Himalayan agama is Paralaudakia himalayana. This binomial nomenclature is used to classify this specific species within the animal kingdom.
Where can the Himalayan agama be found?
The Himalayan agama is distributed across Central Asia and South Asia. Its range includes countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, China, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
What are the key physical characteristics of the Himalayan agama?
This lizard has a noticeably depressed head and a strongly plicate throat. Its body is also depressed, with enlarged, smooth or feebly keeled scales along the vertebral region and smaller, smooth scales on the neck and sides. The tail is rounded and depressed at the base.
How is the Himalayan agama colored?
The Himalayan agama is typically olive above, marbled with black. It often displays round light spots that create a network-like pattern. Males may also have a marbled throat with blackish markings.
Are there any distinguishing features in male Himalayan agamas?
Yes, male Himalayan agamas possess a double or triple row of thickened pre-anal scales, which is a notable characteristic distinguishing them from females.