Class Reptilia Family Agamidae Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Iguania Subfamily Draconinae Order Scaled reptiles | |
Similar Ceratophora, Rough‑nosed horned lizard, Cophotis ceylanica, Otocryptis nigristigma, Rhino‑horned lizard | ||
Ceratophora karu, commonly known as Karu's horned lizard, is a agamid species endemic to Sri Lanka.
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Etymology
The specific name, karu, is in honor of Sri Lankan zoologist G. Punchi Banda "Karu" Karunaratne (1930-1996).
Geographic range and habitat
A species of horned lizard, C. karu is known only from Morning Side Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka at an elevation of 1,060 metres (3,480 ft).
Description
Head oval, longer than wide. Rostral appendage comprising more scales than rostral scales. Scales triangular, smooth or weakly keeled. Length of appendage less than eye-nostril distance. Prominent superciliary scales. A backward pointing V-shaped ridge at back of forehead. Dorsal scales larger than scales on flanks. Lamellae under fourth toe numbering 14-17. Dorsum dark black-brown, brown or olive-green on flanks, some specimens with bright orange-red patches on supra-labials. Throat and venter buff or dirty white to yellowish-brown with small black patches.
Reproduction
About 2 eggs are produced at a time, measuring 8.6 mm x 5.0 mm.