Agama planiceps


The Namib rock agama is a species of agamid lizard that is native to granite rocky outcrops in northwestern Namibia and southwestern Angola.

Range

They occur in Benguela and Namibe provinces of Angola, and in Damaraland and the Kaokoveld region of Namibia.

Description

They exhibit a striking sexual dimorphism, with males in contrasting orange and blue colours, and the females dappled and checkered in brown, grey and yellow.

Behaviour

In summer, males court females by running in circles around them while head-bobbing.

Predation

The black mongoose also occurs in isolated granite kopjes of this region, and is a known predator of these agamas. The mongooses are most successful during early mornings on cold days when the agamas are less mobile. Other predators include hornbills and rock kestrels. Up to 30% of the adult agamas may have broken tails.