Variegated mountain lizard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Variegated mountain lizard
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Japalura
Species:	variegata
Synonyms
Biancia niger Gray, 1853 Japalura microlepis Jerdon, 1870

The variegated mountain lizard or Himalayan dragon (Japalura variegata) is a type of agamid lizard. You can find it in the northern parts of India, Bhutan, and Nepal.

What Does It Look Like?

This lizard has some interesting features that help it blend in or stand out!

Head and Throat

• Its head is covered with small, bumpy scales that look like tiny shields.
• It has a sharp ridge above its nose, called a canthusrostralis.
• There's a small bump right behind its eyebrow area.
• Its throat is covered with small, ridged scales.
• A line of small shields runs from its chin backwards, along its lower lip.
• The lizard's tongue has a slight notch at the front.
• It has two small "canine" teeth in each jaw.
• The upper jaw has about 15 tiny molar teeth on each side.
• The lower jaw has 17 slightly larger, horn-like molar teeth.
• Males have a small pouch under their throat, called a gular pouch.

Body and Scales

• The back of its neck has a bumpy texture with some larger bumps scattered around.
• Both male and female lizards have a crest (a ridge) on their neck made of triangular shapes.
• This crest continues along its back as a slightly jagged ridge, fading out towards the tail.
• Its body is a bit flat from side to side.
• The top parts of its body are covered with small, ridged scales mixed with larger ones. All these scales point slightly upwards.
• The scales on its belly are quite ridged and medium-sized.
• There are about 38 scales in a row between its front and back legs.
• All the scales on its tail are diamond-shaped and ridged, with the ones underneath being the biggest.

Legs and Toes

• If you stretch its back leg forward, it can reach its eye!
• Its toes have ridged scales underneath.
• The fourth toe on its back foot is about a quarter longer than the third toe.

Colors and Patterns

• The lizard's back often has alternating brown or black bands and grayish or yellowish-white bands. These bands go diagonally backwards.
• Its head is often a mix of black patterns.
• It has a light band, outlined in black, between its eyes.
• A white or yellow band runs along its upper lip.
• Another irregular band runs along each side of its neck, joining up with one of the light bands on its back.
• The gular sac (throat pouch) of the male is black at the back.
• Its tail has wide brown or black rings.

Color Variations

• The colors of these lizards can change a lot!
• For example, a large female might be almost completely black on top, with yellow patterns where the larger scales are.
• Even with these color changes, the special bands on its head and neck usually stay the same.
• This lizard is originally from Sikkim, a region in India.
• It can grow up to 12 inches (about 30 centimeters) long, with its tail making up two-thirds of its total length.