Anaimalai spiny lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anaimalai spiny lizard |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Salea
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| Species: |
anamallayana
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| Synonyms | |
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Lophosalea anamallayana Beddome, 1878 |
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The Anaimalai spiny lizard (scientific name: Salea anamallayana) is a special type of lizard. It belongs to a group called agamids. This lizard is found only in a specific area of southern India, in a mountain range called the Western Ghats. You can spot it in the Anaimalai Hills and Meghamalai regions, which are in the Kerala and Tamil Nadu states.
Meet the Anaimalai Spiny Lizard
The Anaimalai spiny lizard has some unique features. Its snout, which is like its nose, is long and pointed. It's about twice as long as its eye! The ear opening is also quite large.
On top of its head, it has big scales. There's a curved line of large scales right above its eyes. You might also notice a small bump behind its eyebrow ridge and a few more on the back of its head. From its eye to its ear, there's a row of three or four large scales.
The scales under its chin are bigger than those on its belly. They can be smooth or have a ridge, like a keel on a boat. This lizard also has a clear fold on each side of its neck, right in front of its shoulders.
Spines and Scales
One of the most interesting parts of this lizard is the crest on its back. It's made of large, pointed spines that are different sizes. The scales on its underside overlap each other and have a ridge, ending in a spine.
Its back legs are long. When it stretches them along its body, they can reach all the way to its neck! The tail is flattened from side to side and has a crest near the front. The scales under the tail are not all the same size, and they also have ridges. They are usually a pale olive color.
Color and Size
The Anaimalai spiny lizard usually has four wide, dark brown bands across its back. Its head and lips are dark brown with lighter spots. An adult lizard is about 4.3 inches (11 cm) long from its snout to its vent (the opening at the base of its tail).
Where Does It Live?
The Anaimalai spiny lizard lives in moist mountain forests. You can also find it on bushes, hedges, and even in gardens. In the Anaimalai Hills, it's very common in the special mountain forests called shola forests and in tea plantations.
This lizard likes to live at high altitudes, usually between 1,700 and 2,300 meters (about 5,577 to 7,546 feet) above sea level.
