Spineless forest lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spineless forest Lizard |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Calotes |
| Species: |
C. liocephalus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Calotes liocephalus Günther, 1872
|
|
| Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist. | |
Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".
The spineless forest lizard, also known as the crestless lizard or lionhead agama (Calotes liocephalus), is a type of lizard that belongs to the Agamidae family. You can only find this special lizard in Sri Lanka, which means it is endemic there.
What Does the Spineless Forest Lizard Look Like?
The spineless forest lizard, Calotes liocephalus, can grow to about 91 millimeters (about 3.5 inches) long from its nose to the start of its tail. Its total length, including its tail, can reach up to 33 centimeters (about 13 inches).
This lizard is one of four Calotes species that live only in Sri Lanka. They all share some common features. These include a head that isn't very long and has puffy cheeks. Their scales on the side of their body point backwards or downwards. Adult male lizards have a tail that is quite thick at its base.
The spineless forest lizard has a mix of colors. It has light moss-green, dark green, and brown stripes on its body. These stripes go from its back down its sides to its belly. Its legs and tail have rings of light moss-green and dark brown or black. These colors help the lizard blend in with its surroundings, like the trees where it lives. This is called cryptic coloration, and it helps hide the lizard from animals that might want to eat it.
This lizard looks a lot like the green garden lizard (Calotes calotes). However, you can tell them apart because the spineless forest lizard does not have any spines above its ears. Other Calotes species usually have these spines. This lack of spines is how the lizard got its common name!
How Does It Live and Reproduce?
The spineless forest lizard spends almost all its time in trees. It rarely comes down to the ground. It is a diurnal animal, which means it is active during the day.
This lizard is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs. Female spineless forest lizards are known to lay about 5 to 6 eggs at a time.
What Does the Spineless Forest Lizard Eat?
The spineless forest lizard mainly eats insects and other small animals. Sometimes, adult lizards might also eat some plant material.
 | Calvin Brent |
 | Walter T. Bailey |
 | Martha Cassell Thompson |
 | Alberta Jeannette Cassell |
