Screech agama is a resident of the desert, and its name, this lizard was due to two large leather folds in the corners of the mouth.They resemble large ears with a serrated fringe along the edges.
Appearance
Screech agama (photo shown above) is the largest representative of the kind of toad.The length of its body is 12 cm, and the tail - 15 cm. Its head, trunk and tail flattened.In the corners of the mouth, as already mentioned, there is a large skin fold (ears).Its free edge is seated long conical scales.The back part of the head is also dotted with scales.And indeed the whole body covered with scales of a reptile: Upper she keeled, grooved on the sides of a small, tapered at the neck and throat - with feeble ribs and a small island.
Painting
Usually desert lizards are sand color that helps them hide from their enemies.Is no exception agama: her body is mostly sand-colored with yellow or pink shades of body;side brighter than the back.The head and torso is decorated with camouflage coloring that is properly delineated dark lines.They form a complex mosaic of ovals, circles and spots.The downside lizard milky white.On the chest black spot (in females it is less bright than the male).On the throat can be a dark marble figure.The end of the tail jet black.
Distribution Their distribution is entirely determined by the presence of large amounts of shifting sands, but habitat is limited to desert and semidesert areas in eastern Caucasia (including foothill Dagestan, Chechnya and the eastern part of Kalmykia).There are considered by us as a lizard in the southern Astrakhan region, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, northwest China, Afghanistan and Iran.
Habitat
Screech agama - a typical inhabitant of various kinds of poorly secured and sand dunes with sparse grass and shrub vegetation.She settles on the tops of sand mounds and along roadsides where posing isolated settlements.The number of these reptiles is subject to sharp fluctuations, it increases considerably with the withdrawal of young animals.So, in the southern part of the Karakum desert on the route length of two kilometers there were a total of 18 individuals, and in Dagestan, near the dune Sary Kum, on the route in one and a half thousand meters found 98 individuals.This is considered a record density of population of this species of lizards.
Activity
Screech agama appear after hibernation in late March - early April.During warm winters that occur in Central Asia, some individuals are active in late February.In summer, the desert lizards (photo, proposed to your attention, help you get an idea about this creepy) afternoon hiding from the scorching sun, appearing only in the morning and evening hours.In early October, these being satisfied with yourself wintering shelter.For this they are mezhbarhannye lowlands and dig them straight holes up to 90 cm, which end with a small extension in the layer of moist sand.In summer burrows hidden youngsters and adults in the bad weather, at night or in the event of danger burrow into the sand rapid oscillatory movements of the body.This phrynocephalus mystaceus as it pushes in front of the sand, which is picked up by the scales on the sides, and showered on her back, covering the lizard.
This kind of desert dwellers known for a very typical pose daunting.Lizard wide puts and flattens the hind legs, lifts the front part of the body and widely opens mouth, with the mucous membrane and violence in the corners of the mouth skin folds become bright red.Toad when it makes a hissing sound, fast twists and straightens tail and jumps towards the enemy.Lizards are very aggressive, and not only in the case of protection of the territory or in the mating season, but at other times.This behavior is typical for individuals of different ages and genders.
Reproduction
Pairing at Phrynocephalus eared runs from late April to early July.The first egg lay in mid-May and the end of June, the second egg-laying takes place in late July.The female lays from 2 to 6 eggs.Young animals appear in the period from late July to mid-August.Kids Size 30-40 mm.Sexual maturity occurs in the second year of life.Young animals usually settles colonies, and adults prefer individual portions.
what to eat lizards in the desert?
basis of their diet consists of various insects.Most often it is beetles, ants, bugs, Orthoptera, Diptera, butterflies and spiders.Adults can eat flowers desert plants.
Lizards Desert
Screech agama - is not the only reptiles that inhabit the desert planet.Briefly consider some species of lizards that live in these difficult natural conditions.
1. toad sand.These lizards reach 80 mm in length (including tail).They have a sandy-yellow color with a dense pattern of light and dark dots and spots.Sand toad eats ants, termites, caterpillars, beetles, butterflies, which often catches on the fly, jumping into the air.
2. takyr toad.It differs from other types of head shape.In this lizard reaches a length of 12 cm. Color dark gray or brown-gray.The basis of the diet of these reptiles are insects and small invertebrates.
3. The desert iguana.Their body length is 17-40 cm. Coloration can vary, but is dominated by browns and grays.Iguana diet consists exclusively of plant foods, it can be as seeds and fruits of plants, and their stems.
4. Varan.It is the largest lizard in the world, its length is 1.5 meters, and weight - 3.5 kg.The color of this reptile is dominated mostly gray tones.Lizard eats rodents, snakes and insects.
5. Moloch.The length of the body of this lizard reaches 22 cm. Coloration brownish yellow with dark spots.However, Moloch can change color depending on the temperature, lighting, or physiological condition.It feeds exclusively ants foragers, which catches by a sticky tongue.
