Red Headed Agama
Red headed agama is a type of lizard belonging to the Agamidae family, occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. The male lizard is very much territorial and is known to become agitated when confronting other males; however, the animal prefers to live in groups with hierarchy consisting of a dominant male with submissive young males and females.
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Reptilia |
Order | Squamata |
Suborder | Iguania |
Family | Agamidae |
Subfamily | Agaminae |
Genus | Agama |
Scientific Name | Agama agama |
Other Names | Common agama, Red-headed rock agama, Rainbow agama |
Size | 13 to 30 cm (5.1 to 11.8 in) |
Color | Males are pale brown during non-breeding season turning dark blue during the breeding season with head, neck and tail turning bright orange; females are cryptically colored |
Distribution | Sub-Saharan Africa (Tanzania , Kenya) |
Habitat | Deserts, savannas, forests, mountains, cities, suburbs |
Diet | Mainly insects such as ants, grasshoppers, beetles, termites |
Predators | Probably snakes |
Breeding Season | More common in the wet season, although breeding can take place year round in regions of consistent rainfall |
Mode of Reproduction | Oviparous (egg laying) |
Clutch Size | 5 to 7 eggs |
Incubation Period | 8 to 10 weeks |
Reproductive Age | Males: 2 years of age Females: 14 to 18 months of age |
Average Lifespan | 10 to 28 years |