Agama (lizard)
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Any of various small, long-tailed, insect-eating lizards of the genus Agama. The agamid genus is comprised of at least 31 species across Africa.
One of the best known species is the red-headed rock agama (Agama agama), a widespread lizard in sub-Saharan Africa. Its original habitat is the savanna, but today it also lives within villages and towns. These agamas form groups of ten to twenty. The "leader" is an old male, while females and young males constitute the other members of the group. The colour is dark brown at night, but after dawn the colours of the dominant male will change: the body becomes light blue, head and tail bright orange. These colours may change again depending on the dominant male's mood. For instance, if male agamas fight, their heads will turn brown, and white spots appear on their body. Fights take place when a foreign agama male appears. It will try to dispute the leadership of the dominant male. When fighting, agamas hiss and attempt to hit each other's head with their tail. These strokes may be very violent and often result in haematomas or fractured jaws.
The females in the group are entirely brown. Often there is a highest-ranking female that remains in proximity to the leading male and struggles to repel other females.
Species
The following species are classified within the genus Agama:
- Agama aculeata
- Agama agama (agama lizard)
- Agama anchietae
- Agama armata
- Agama atra
- Agama bocourti
- Agama bottegi
- Agama boueti
- Agama boulengeri
- Agama caudospinosa
- Agama cornii
- Agama doriae
- Agama etoshae
- Agama gracilimembris
- Agama hartmanni
- Agama hispida
- Agama impalearis
- Agama insularis
- Agama kirkii
- Agama mehelyi
- Agama montana
- Agama mossambica
- Agama mwanzae
- Agama paragama
- Agama persimilis
- Agama planiceps
- Agama robecchii
- Agama rueppelli
- Agama sankaranica
- Agama spinosa
- Agama weidholzi
References
Manthey and Schuster. 1996. Agamid Lizards. T.F.H Publications Inc. U.S.A.
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