#squamata
Say “hi” to the rhinoceros iguana (Cyclura cornuta)!
This large, heavy-bodied lizard can grow to be 4 feet (1.2 meters) long. As you might guess, its common name refers to the horn on its head, sported by both males and females. Bigger in males than females, horns may be useful in combat among males and in displays such as head-bobbing. This animal is found only on Hispaniola, the Caribbean island that’s home to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Its diet consists of plants and insects, but it may occasionally feed on carrion.
Photo: Josh More, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, flickr
#AnimalFacts #RhinocerosIguana #iguana #rhino #dyk #FunFacts #nature #AnimalKingdom #reptiles
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FIVE BANDED GLIDING LIZARD
Draco quinquefasciatus
Draco is a genus of agamid lizards that are also known as flying lizards,flying dragonsorgliding lizards. These lizards are capable of gliding flight; their ribs and their connecting membrane may be extended to create “wings” (patagia- similar to flying squirrels), the hindlimbs are flattened and wing-like in cross-section, and a flap on the neck (the gular flag) serves as a horizontal stabilizer (the flag is sometimes used in warning to others).
Draco are arboreal insectivores.
While not capable of powered flight they often obtain lift in the course of their gliding flights. Glides as long as 60 m (200 ft) have been recorded, over which the animal loses only 10 m (33 ft) in height, which is quite some distance, considering that these lizards are only around 20 cm (7.9 in) in total length (tail included).
They are found in South Asia and Southeast Asia, and are fairly common in forests, gardens, teak plantations and shrub jungle.
Below showing wings and gular flag. ©A.S.Kono
Sulawesi Lined Gliding Lizard
Draco spilonotus
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North America//Vulnerable //Squamata//image source
The southern hog-nosed snake is one of several species of hog-nosed snakes. They are known not only for their upturned nose, but also for their ability to dramatically play dead when a predator is near.
Galapagos Islands (endemic)//Vulnerable//Squamata//image source
Fun Fact: Marine iguanas can dive up to 30 feet deep. They are the only lizards to spend much of their time in the ocean.
Southwest North America//Conservation Status Unknown//Squamata//image source
Fun Fact: Like many whiptail lizards, the grassland whiptail is an all-female species. After engaging in “pseudocopulation” with other females, they lay unfertilized eggs which hatch into exact clones of the mother.
Mosasaurus were predatory marine lizards that reached very large sizes. The coloration on this one is inspired by the reconstruction featured on Prehistoric Planet, of course.
Design by Greco Westermann
sulc.us/mosa
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Mitchell’s short-tailed snake - Parasuta nigriceps
Parasuta nigriceps (Elapidae) is an Australian snake found in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia territories. As the species name suggests, one of the distinctive features of this snake is the black head from nose to neck with the dark coloration extending into a dark vertebral stripe. Although they are elapids, all Parasuta species are harmless, unaggressive snakes.
References: [1] - [2] - [3] - [4]
Photo credits: [Top: ©George Cruiser | Locality: Perth, Western Australia, Australia, 2009] - [Middle: ©Brendan Schembri | Locality: Perth, Western Australia, Australia, 2014] - [Bottom: ©Martin Whiting/The Lizard Lab | Locality: Australia, 2014]
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Malcolm’s pitviper (Trimeresurus sumatranus malcomi)
East Malaysia at 1,000-1,600 m elevation (3,280-5,250 feet).
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Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) inhabit forests of New Caledonia. They are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to decline in quality and extent of their natural habitat.
Photos: unknown, reptilefact
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The Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) or Bosc Monitor is a large Varanid lizard native to sub-saharan Africa. They are primarily insectivores, although they will occasionally eat small mammals.
San Luis Potosi Kingsnake (Lampropeltis mexicana mexicana). Females of this species tend to have darker colouration, while males often have brighter dorsal saddles.
Corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) originate from North America, but can be found all over the world in the pet trade. Their docile temperament and tendency to feed well on commercially available rodents make them an excellent starter snake for those who are new to the hobby.
Photos:Tom Spinker,ArpeggioAngel
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Plumed Basilisks (Basiliscus plumifrons) are also known as the Jesus Christ Lizard due to their ability to run on water. Large back feet, with flattened toe pads and scales positioned to maximise surface area, as well as a long tail for balance, allow this species to make a bipedal dash to safety.
Photo:Bence Mate
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Meet Calumma uetzi, one of three new species of chameleons we described in The Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society today! Is it the most beautiful chameleon species? Well, you’ll have to decide for yourself. But certainly it has an impressive display colouration!
Here, a male is giving a female the full colourshow, and she is not. having it.
You can read a little more about the new species and request the PDF here!
Photos by Frank Glaw
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