Beddome's snake-eye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beddome's snake-eye |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Ophisops
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| Species: |
beddomei
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Ophisops beddomei, often called Beddome's snake-eye or Beddome’s lacerta, is a type of lizard. It belongs to the family called Lacertidae. This lizard is active during the day and moves very fast. It lives only in the Western Ghats region of India.
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Where Does It Live?
Ophisops beddomei is found in western India. You can spot it in the Indian states of Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
It was first found in the "Bremnagherry hills," which are now known as the Brahmagiri Hills in Wayanad.
What's in a Name?
The second part of its scientific name, beddomei, honors a person. It is named after Richard Henry Beddome. He was a British army officer and botanist who lived from 1830 to 1911.
What Does It Look Like?
Beddome's snake-eye looks quite similar to another lizard, Ophisops jerdonii. It has special scales on its head. For example, it usually has two or three scales at the front of its nose.
It also has small scales on its sides. These side scales are smaller than the scales on its back. There are about 28 to 32 scales around its body. This lizard often has a light stripe on its upper side, but sometimes this stripe is missing.
Where Does It Like to Live?
This lizard prefers certain places to live in nature. Its favorite habitats include grasslands, areas with shrubs, and forests. It lives at heights between 200 and 1,000 meters (about 650 to 3,300 feet) above sea level.
What Does It Eat?
Ophisops beddomei is a predator. It mostly eats insects.
How Does It Have Babies?
Ophisops beddomei is an oviparous animal. This means the female lizard lays eggs. The baby lizards then hatch from these eggs.
