
Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3
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Family : AGAMIDAE
Species : Acanthosaura armata
Size (snout to vent) : males 14.4 cm, females 13.8 cm
Size (total length) : up to 22 cm
The Peninsular Horned Tree
Lizard inhabits forested hills up to around 800 metres elevation, as well as
lowland peatswamp forest. It is less common in disturbed habitats, but may
survive in forest edge settings.
The species reportedly feeds on forest floor invertebrates, including
earthworms, though sightings of these lizards on the ground are uncommon.
Typically adults are encountered clinging to sturdy tree trunks.
The species exhibits the typical body form and spiny appearance which define
agamid lizards. The body is thick and robust, the head short and angular,
and the limbs moderately thick. There is a long curved spine behind each eye
socket, and a row of spines of diminishing length along the back, starting
at the
neck and ending around the base of the tail. There is an expandable throat pouch which
can be inflated when displaying (perhaps for courtship or territorial
purposes).
Patterning typical comprises scattered oval or elongate lighter markings on
a darker background. Colouration can be highly variable, ranging from
reddish to brown to buff to various shades of green. Darkening of colour may
occur when the lizard is stressed. The tail is banded.
According to Grismer (2011) this species occurs in southern Thailand,
Peninsular Malaysia (including islands lying off the west and east coasts),
Sumatra and Pulau Siantan (one of the Anambas Islands in the southern South
China Sea). In Singapore, Baker & Lim (2008) categorise the species as
'doubtful', meaning that historical records of the species may be
inaccurate, and there have been no recent, verifiable records.
Fig 1 : Specimen from Pulau Pinang, Penang, at the base of Penang Hill
at an elevation of 50 metres. It was found resting on a tree trunk 2.5
metres from the forest floor, in a humid stream gully.
Fig 2 : The same specimen in habitat context - an area of primary
forest on a steep slope.
Fig 3 : The typical posture of this lizard is for the front legs to be
raised, thus elevating the belly from the tree trunk. The head always
points upwards.
References : H11
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