Peninsular rock agama
The Peninsular rock agama is a common lizard species found on rocky hills in southern India. Adult males are distinguished by swollen cheeks and can display brilliant coloration during the breeding season, while females and young are typically olive-brown with dark markings. These lizards are insectivorous and exhibit behaviors like head-pushing displays and flattening their bodies to avoid predators.
Key Facts
- ›Found on rocky hills in southern India.
- ›Males develop swollen cheeks and vibrant colors during breeding season.
- ›Diet consists primarily of insects.
- ›Exhibit head-push-up displays as a behavioral trait.
- ›Can reach a total length of up to 335 mm.
- ›Females and young have cryptic coloration for camouflage.
South Indian Rock Agama
Southern India
- Large, Elongated, Depressed Head With Swollen Cheeks In Adult Males.
- Snout Longer Than the Diameter of the Orbit.
- Upper Head Scales Are Unequal, Smooth Or Obtusely Keeled.
- Canthus Rostralis and Supraciliary Have A Clear, Sharp Edge.
- Two Small Spines Or Groups of Spines Above the Ear May Be Present Or Absent.
- Tympanum Diameter Is Half Or Slightly More Than Half That of the Orbit.
- 10 To 13 Upper and Lower Labial Scales.
- Body Is Slightly Flattened.
- Dorsal Scales Are Small, Uniform, Smooth Or Feebly Keeled In Adults, Strongly Keeled In Young.
- Dorsal Crest Reduced To A Ridge of Enlarged Scales.
- Ventral Scales Are As Large As Dorsals and Smooth .
- 115 To 150 Scales Around the Middle of the Body.
- Gular Scales Are Smaller Than Ventral Scales.
- Four Or Five Enlarged Scales On the Chin Parallel With Anterior Labials.
- Strong Transverse Fold Covered With Small Scales Across the Throat.
- Nuchal and Dorsal Crests Are Tooth-Like Protrusions.
- Legs Are Strong, Covered With Uniform, Keeled Scales.
- Hind Limb Reaches the Ear Or Rear End of the Eye When Extended Forward.
- Tail Is Slightly Flattened and Covered With Keeled Scales, Larger Below Than Above.
- Adult Male Tail Is Distinctly Swollen At the Base With Thickened Scales.
- Young and Females Are Olive-Brown, Spotted, Speckled, Or Marbled With Dark Brown, With White, Elongated Spots Along Each Side of the Back.
- Male Has Pale Brownish Color On the Head and Back, Yellowish-Brown Lips Extending Beyond the Ear.
- Dark Brown Or Black Lateral Stripe Begins Behind the Eye and Broadens.
- Underside Is Yellow With the Throat Mottled With Grey.
- Males In Breeding Season: Upper Parts Become Vermilion Red Or Yellow, Lip Stripe Sometimes Pink, Undersides, Limbs, and Tail Are Black.
Insects
Bask On Bare Rocks., Males Bask Openly On Exposed Rocks., Show Head-Push-Up Displays., Larger Males Take Up Higher Perch Positions., Flatten Their Bodies When Birds Fly Overhead., Exhibit Cryptic Coloration For Camouflage.
Birds
About Peninsular rock agama
The Peninsular rock agama, scientifically known as Psammophilus dorsalis, is a common lizard species inhabiting the rocky hills of southern India. Allied species are found in other regions, distinguishing its specific range within the Indian subcontinent.
Description and Appearance
Adult males of this species are notable for their large, elongated heads with distinctively swollen cheeks. The snout is proportionally longer than the eye cavity. Their body is somewhat flattened, covered in small, uniform scales that are smooth or feebly keeled in adults, becoming strongly keeled in juveniles. A dorsal crest, reduced to a ridge of enlarged scales, runs along their back. Females and young agamas typically display a cryptic coloration of olive-brown, marked with dark brown spots, speckles, or marbling, and often feature a series of elongated white spots along each side of their back. In contrast, adult males exhibit a pale brownish hue on their head and back, with yellowish-brown lips extending past the ear. A prominent dark brown or black lateral stripe begins behind the eye and broadens along the lower sides. The underside is yellow, with the throat often mottled with grey. During the breeding season, males undergo a striking transformation, adopting vibrant colors such as fine vermilion red or yellow on their upper parts, with pinkish lip stripes. Their undersides, limbs, and tail become black.
Size
The Peninsular rock agama reaches a considerable size, with adults measuring approximately 135 mm from snout to vent. The tail adds significantly to their length, measuring around 200 mm, bringing the total length to about 335 mm. Females are generally smaller than the males.
Habitat and Distribution
This species is characteristically found on rocky hills in southern India, generally confined to areas south of approximately 16°N latitude. They inhabit the hilly regions of the Western Ghats, Nilgiris, South Arcot, and Nallamalai Hills, and have been observed at altitudes up to 6000 feet above sea level in the Nilgiris. They are noted as being particularly common in certain parts of the Nilgiris and near Bangalore.
Behavior and Diet
Peninsular rock agamas are diurnal and bask openly on exposed rocks, utilizing their cryptic coloration for camouflage. Males engage in behavioral displays, including head-pushing movements, and larger males tend to secure higher vantage points for basking. When birds of prey are detected, they flatten their bodies, likely as a defensive maneuver. Their diet consists primarily of insects. Densities of up to 90 lizards per hectare have been recorded in some areas, indicating their prevalence in suitable habitats.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the physical characteristics of the Peninsular rock agama?
Adult males have large, elongated heads with swollen cheeks and a snout longer than their eye cavity. Their scales can be smooth or keeled, and they possess a dorsal crest. Females and young are olive-brown with dark brown markings and a series of white spots along their backs.
What is the typical coloration of the Peninsular rock agama?
Females and young are olive-brown, speckled or marbled with dark brown, and have elongated white spots along their sides. Adult males are brownish on the head and back, with a dark brown or black lateral stripe. During the breeding season, males can turn bright vermilion red or yellow with black undersides, limbs, and tail.
Where is the Peninsular rock agama found?
This species is common on rocky hills in southern India, generally south of about 16°N latitude. They inhabit hilly regions in areas like the Western Ghats, Nilgiris, South Arcot, and Nallamalai Hills, reaching altitudes up to 6000 ft in the Nilgiris.
What do Peninsular rock agamas eat?
Their diet consists of insects. They are often found basking on bare rocks, where their cryptic coloration helps them camouflage while hunting.
How do male Peninsular rock agamas behave, especially during breeding season?
Males bask openly on exposed rocks and perform head-push-up displays. In the breeding season, they assume bright colors. Larger males tend to occupy higher perch positions and will flatten their bodies when birds fly overhead.
What is the size of the Peninsular rock agama?
Adults can reach a snout-to-vent length of 135 mm, with a tail measuring approximately 200 mm, resulting in a total length of about 335 mm. Females are generally smaller than males.
Related Lizards
Psammophilus dorsalis
The Peninsular rock agama, also known as the South Indian rock agama (Psammophilus dorsalis), is a common lizard species inhabiting the rocky hills of south India. Adult males in the breeding season display striking bright colors, transforming their upper parts to vermilion red or yellow, while females and young are typically olive-brown with dark markings. These lizards are insectivores and are known for their habit of basking on exposed rocks, where their coloration provides camouflage.
Ablepharus
Ablepharus, commonly known as snake-eyed skinks, are small lizards distinguished by fused eyelids that prevent blinking, similar to snakes. They inhabit dry fields, hills, and rocky areas, often concealed within leaf litter. These skinks possess shiny, bronze scales and a characteristic dark stripe along their sides, feeding primarily on small insects and mollusks.
Acanthocercus atricollis
The black-necked agama, Acanthocercus atricollis, is a species of tree agama found across East, Central, and southern Africa. These lizards are known for forming structured colonies and are often found in high densities near human settlements due to reduced predator presence. They are primarily insectivorous ambush predators.