Southern rock agama
A species of Rüppell’s agama Scientific name : Agama atra Genus : Rüppell’s agama
Southern rock agama, A species of Rüppell’s agama
Scientific name: Agama atra
Genus: Rüppell’s agama
Content
Description General Info
Photo By tonyrebelo , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The southern rock agama (Agama atra) is a species of lizard from the Agamidae family, that occurs in Southern Africa. It lives in small colonies on rocky outcrops, and the males are very conspicuous for their bright blue heads.
General Info
Lifespan
5-8 years
Diet
Southern rock agama primarily sustains on a diet of arthropods, particularly ants and beetles. During certain seasons, it supplements with plant matter such as flowers and virgin fruits, compensating for nutritional deficiencies.
Appearance
Southern rock agama is a medium-sized lizard with a slender body and robust legs. Its scaly skin exhibits muted coloration, generally a blend of brown and grey, offering excellent camouflage. Males may showcase brighter hues during breeding season. A distinctive feature is the broad, triangular head, while its tail is long and tapers gradually. There are no significant visual differences between genders and ages.
Behavior
Southern rock agama is a ground-dwelling, diurnal species, typically noted for its basking behavior under intense sunlight. Being solitary by nature, this territorial species employs visual and physical confrontations to defend its area. Its survival strategies also include prominent color change as camouflage to evade predators.
Population
Stable
Photo By tonyrebelo , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Dragons Genus
Rüppell’s agama Species
Southern rock agama