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Ground Agama (Agama aculeata)



I took the photo in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

Could anyone tell me what lizard this is ?

Hi j-ms,

Gosh, this is a hard one! My guess would be maybe a female ground agama???? I base my guess purely on the fact that she is sitting in what seems to be a "driedoring" (rhigozum trichotomum) bush and we saw plenty agamas there last month. The male has a prominent bright blue head, but AFAIK the female's head is the same colour as her body unless she is laying her eggs, then she mimicks the male's blue head to keep males from bothering her.

Can't wait to hear what the experts say....

PS you are so lucky to be in Schoenies. I lived there in the early 80's and still miss it

My thoughts were also that is was a Ground Agama but I wanted to make sure.

PS. Schoenies is still great - we have owned and lived in Sou-West for the past 10 years or so - do you remember it ? Where did you stay ?

Oops, will PM you, before we both get a boot on the bum for hijacking the thread with non-parkrelated stuff!

Are there Ground agama's in KNP? I have only seen a Tree Agama at Satara.

That is a ground agama. The Bushmen will say it's praying for rain (when did you take the photo?)

They do have a tendency to sit up in the Rhigozum trichoyomum bushes- when warm, it will afford them some air circulation, and when coolish, the get the sun quicker. When heavy rains are expected, they do sit up there, to avoid being caught inside their holes, and then either drowning, or being caved in.