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Tumaren

Ecology and Conservation Observations in Laikipia, Kenya

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Odd Agama Lizard

Category: Reptiles | Date: Nov 04 2006 | By: tumaren

We have been encountering the following Agama lizard on many of our walks around Tumaren. His colour is not right for a Red-Headed Agama and yet there is no other Agama for the area in the book that fills his description. The Mwanza Flat Headed Agama from the Mara and south is the only Agama that resembles it. Ideas???

Agama Unidentified

2 Responses to “Odd Agama Lizard”

Kerry, on 06 Dec 2006

This is from an email that I received from Brian Finch, one of Kenya’s finest naturalist and birdwatcher.

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Your Agama is a male Elementeita Rock Agama in nuptial colours. The illustration in Spawls et al shows a non-breeding animal and when I sent a photo of one in breeding dress to Steve Spawls, they had thought they were all grey up to that point.

I have seen it commonly Mweiga/Ndaragwa, also on the rocky ridge along the road to South Kinangop behind the service station on Naivasha Road, and on the other side of the Rift at Iten. Seems to live in tight colonies then be absent from surrounding seemingly suitable areas.

Kerry Glen, on 11 Feb 2007

This lizard was found to be the Elementaita Agama. None of the books had a photograph of the breeding male which is the lizard shown in the photo.

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