Anchieta's agama
A species of Rüppell’s agama Scientific name : Agama anchietae Genus : Rüppell’s agama
Anchieta's agama, A species of Rüppell’s agama
Scientific name: Agama anchietae
Genus: Rüppell’s agama
Content
Description General Info
Photo By dougmacsafaris , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
Agama anchietae is a species of lizard discovered in Angola. It was named after Portuguese explorer José de Anchieta. It is also found in Botswana and Namibia. It is found in a variety of habitats including deserts, shrublands and grasslands.
General Info
Lifespan
5-8 years
Diet
Anchieta's agama predominantly feeds on arthropods and insects, but ardently seeks out termites during the monsoon season. It selectively feeds, discerning nutrient-rich insects from potentially harmful ones.
Appearance
Anchieta's agama is a medium-sized lizard with a long, slender body and a large triangular head. It has rough, spiky skin that is predominantly a bright orange-red, with darker patterns along its back and tail. Its most striking feature is its oversized, fan-shaped tail. Males exhibit brighter colors and larger heads than females. Young anchieta's agama have duller coloration that becomes more vibrant as they mature.
Behavior
Anchieta's agama is a diurnal species, spending its day involved in basking, foraging, and monitoring territory. Basking in the morning helps in thermoregulation. They are primarily insectivorous but occasionally consume vegetables. Generally solitary, males display distinct territorial behavior and aggression toward rivals. Their striking color changes underline communicative and adaptive behavior in different scenarios.
Population
Stable
Photo By dougmacsafaris , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Dragons Genus
Rüppell’s agama Species
Anchieta's agama