ORIENTAL GARDEN LIZARD
ORIENTAL GARDEN LIZARD
Classification
Introduction
The Oriental Garden lizard/Changeable lizard (Calotes versicolor) belongs to family agamidae.It is also known as ගරා කටුස්සා (gara katussa) in sinhala.
Distribution
Oriental Garden lizards are widely distributed around the world.The species range from Iran to India,and from Southern China to Thailand.In Sri Lanka they live all environmental regions and inhabit wide range of habitats.This lizard is active during the day and is arboreal .So it can be found mostly in trees and bushes.And also It can be found among the undergrowth in open habitats and costal vegitations.
Morphology
Total length of the Oriental garden lizard about 37-40cm including the tail.It's colour ranges from brownish buff to greyish.Generally broad brown bands across the back.They appear variable colours and the colours can be changed.It's stout body is with small and keeled scales and also it has spiny crest on the back of it's neck and along the body.It's tail is long stiff and pointed.
Adult males are larger than females with swollen cheeks.During the breeding season maes develop with red colour head with black colour blotchs.
Diet
Oriental garden lizards diet mostly insects and small vertebrates.Such as crickets,grasshoppers ants and small lizards.
Reproduction
Normally male lizard is larger than female.Males become highly territorial during the breeding season.In this season throat of the male becomes red and black.They are oviporous.Normally female lays 10-20eggs.It burried them in most soil.Eggs are long and spindle shaped and covered with leathery skin.Eggs hatch in 6-7weeks.This lizards can breed at about 1year old.
Identification
Oriental garden lizard is identified by the short crest above the neck and presence of small spines above the tympanum.They lack shoulder fold.Males can be identified by swollen cheeks.
Classification
- Kingdom - Animalia
- Phylum - Chordata
- Sub phylum - vertebrata
- Class- Reptilia
- Order - Squamata
- Family - Agamidae
- Genus - Calotes
- Species - Calotes versicolor
Introduction
The Oriental Garden lizard/Changeable lizard (Calotes versicolor) belongs to family agamidae.It is also known as ගරා කටුස්සා (gara katussa) in sinhala.
Distribution
Oriental Garden lizards are widely distributed around the world.The species range from Iran to India,and from Southern China to Thailand.In Sri Lanka they live all environmental regions and inhabit wide range of habitats.This lizard is active during the day and is arboreal .So it can be found mostly in trees and bushes.And also It can be found among the undergrowth in open habitats and costal vegitations.
Morphology
Total length of the Oriental garden lizard about 37-40cm including the tail.It's colour ranges from brownish buff to greyish.Generally broad brown bands across the back.They appear variable colours and the colours can be changed.It's stout body is with small and keeled scales and also it has spiny crest on the back of it's neck and along the body.It's tail is long stiff and pointed.
Adult males are larger than females with swollen cheeks.During the breeding season maes develop with red colour head with black colour blotchs.
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Diet
Oriental garden lizards diet mostly insects and small vertebrates.Such as crickets,grasshoppers ants and small lizards.
Reproduction
Normally male lizard is larger than female.Males become highly territorial during the breeding season.In this season throat of the male becomes red and black.They are oviporous.Normally female lays 10-20eggs.It burried them in most soil.Eggs are long and spindle shaped and covered with leathery skin.Eggs hatch in 6-7weeks.This lizards can breed at about 1year old.
Identification
Oriental garden lizard is identified by the short crest above the neck and presence of small spines above the tympanum.They lack shoulder fold.Males can be identified by swollen cheeks.
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