Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Family Agamidae Scientific name Ceratophora stoddartii Rank Species | Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Iguania Subfamily Draconinae Phylum Chordata Order Scaled reptiles | |
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Similar Ceratophora, Rough‑nosed horned lizard, Leaf‑nosed lizard, Cophotis ceylanica, Lyreshead lizard | ||
The rhino-horned lizard (Ceratophora stoddartii ), also commonly known as Stoddart's unicorn lizard and the horned agama, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is called kagamuva angkatussa-කගමුව අං කටුස්සා in Sinhala.
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Etymology
The specific name, stoddartii, is in honor of Charles Stoddart, who was a British army officer and diplomat.
Habitat and distribution
C. stoddartii is found widespread in montane forests of central Sri Lanka. Localities from which it has been recorded include Nuwara Eliya, Hakgala, Pattipola, Ohiya, Horton Plains, Hewaheta, Dimbula, Agarapathana, and Adam's Peak.
Description
The head of C. stoddartii is oval, and longer than wide. The rostral appendage is long, horn-like, about two thirds the length of the snout in males, but is reduced or even absent in females. The lamellae under the fourth toe number 23–27. The dorsum is brownish green or yellowish brown. The tail is marked with 10–16 dark brown crossbands. The venter is light brownish gray.
Ecology and reproduction
A slow moving, arboreal species, C. stoddartii is found on trees from 1 to 2 m (3.3 to 6.6 ft) above the ground. When threatened, it opens its mouth wide, revealing the bright orange lining of the oral cavity.
Reproduction
C. stoddartii is oviparous. Egg laying takes place in July, and clutch size is about 2–5 eggs, each measuring 7.6-8.1 by 13.5–14.5 mm (.31 by .55 inch). The eggs are deposited in a hole, and hatch after 81–90 days. However, hatchlings have been founded in the wild also during colder months such as December and January.