Subphylum Vertebrata Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Iguania | |
Similar Ceratophora, Rough‑nosed horned lizard, Cophotis ceylanica, Otocryptis nigristigma, Rhino‑horned lizard | ||
Ceratophora erdeleni, or Erdelen's horned lizard, is an agamid species endemic to Sri Lanka. It has only a rudimentary "horn", that is occasionally missing altogether.
Contents
Etymology
The specific name, erdeleni, is in honor of German biologist Walter R. Erdelen.
Geographic range
C. erdeleni is known only from Morningside Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka at an elevation of 1,060 m (3,480 ft).
Description
The head is oval, and longer than wide. The rostral appendage is oval and rudimentary (less than 18% snout length), and occasionally missing in both sexes. The tympanum is hidden under the skin. A weak dorso-nuchal crest is confined to the neck region. Lamellae under fourth toe are 24-28 in number. The dorsum is yellow, light brown, or reddish brown in color, with 17 broad dark brown crossbands on the body and tail that are separated by light narrow interspaces. The venter is yellowish green. Juveniles are green with black transverse bands.
Habitat and behavior
C. erdeleni inhabits rainforests in the midhills and is arboreal and diurnal.
Reproduction
2 to 3 eggs are produced at a time, each measuring 7.2 mm × 13.7 mm (0.28 in × 0.54 in).