 |
Family : AGAMIDAE
Species : Calotes goetzi
Size (snout to vent) : up to 14 cm
Size (total length) : up to ~ 40 cm
Calotes
goetzi (Blue
Crested Lizard, Indochinese Forest Lizard) is an adaptable agamid which
inhabits lowland and lower montane forests up to 1500 metres
elevation. It can survive in forest edge settings, and parks and gardens. It
is diurnal and fully arboreal.
Its most striking feature is the bright blue to turquoise colour of the
head, throat and parts of the body: this develops during the breeding season
in both males and females. Outside of the breeding season it is mainly
greyish brown to reddish brown. Typically there are 3 large, reddish brown
blotches on the upper flanks.
Another identifying feature is the broad, pale stripe which extends from
near the snout to the shoulder, passing beneath the eye.
Its body shape is typical of the genus Calotes, being laterally
compressed. The head is large, with swollen cheeks, and males have a
well-developed throat pouch. The nuchal (= neck) and dorsal crests are low
and continuous.
Like some other types of agamid, for example gliding lizards, males of this
species extend their throat pouch and perform a rapid series of push-ups
when trying to attract a female, or when in conflict with another male.
This striking looking lizard occurs in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam
and Laos. The species clearly does not occur
in Peninsular Malaysia (or the extreme south of Thailand), despite being
erroneously reported from these locales.
Fig 1 : Male with bright blue throat pouch extended and performing
push-ups: this behaviour is an attempt to attract a nearby female and to
out-compete another male in the vicinity.
Fig 2 : Another example in bright turquoise breeding colours, with more
extensive brown on the back.
Fig 3 : Example in non-breeding colours.
All images from Kaeng Krachan, Thailand. Photos thanks to Charles
Currin.
References :
Grismer, L. L. (2011). Lizards of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and
their Adjacent Archipelagos. Their Description, Distribution, and
Natural History. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main. 728 pp.
|
