Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Infraorder Iguania Scientific name Calotes rouxii Rank Species | Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Sauria Family Agamidae Phylum Chordata Order Scaled reptiles | |
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Similar Calotes, Calotes ellioti, Calotes nemoricola, Calotes grandisquamis, Spineless forest lizard | ||
Mating behaviour of the forest calotes lizard calotes rouxii
Calotes rouxii, commonly known as Roux's forest lizard, is a species of agamid lizard, which is endemic to India.
Contents
- Mating behaviour of the forest calotes lizard calotes rouxii
- Etymology
- Description
- Distribution and habitat
- Ecology
- References
Etymology
The specific name, rouxii, is in honor of Jean Louis Florent Polydore Roux, who was a French painter and naturalist.
Description
C. rouxii can attain a total length (including tail) of up to 30 cm (12 in), but 25 cm (9.8 in) is more common. Its body has an olive-brown color, with a lighter belly, a dark band along the side of the head on to the neck, and dark lines radiating from the eye. The limbs are slender, with elongated toes. Two small groups of spines adorn each side of the neck. In males, the upper part of the head, nape, and gular pouch become brick-red in the breeding season.
Distribution and habitat
C. rouxii is endemic to western India, where it can be found in many localities (Western Ghats of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and Eastern Ghats). It has been reported from the Protected Areas and reserve forests of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Orissa. The species is generally widespread and common throughout its range. It can be found at elevations of 100–900 m (330–2,950 ft) above sea level, in forest habitats ranging from moist evergreen to dry scrub or secondary forests.
Ecology
C. rouxii is an insectivore, hunting during the day both on the ground and in trees. It is oviparous, breeding between April and September.
