Agama Again @ Michael Despines Photography

May

31

2024

Agama Again

Shot of the Month Posted by Michael / 1 comments

Shot of the Month – May 2024

Wow, look at this guy! Now, THAT is how you make an entrance in style! This splashy, multi-hued fellow is a Mwanza Flat-Headed Rock Agama (MFHRA) – his name is almost as long as the list of colors covering his body.

There are about 30 species of agama lizards (in the family Agamidae for you science types) with most found across Africa though you can find a few in southeastern Europe and central India. The MFHRA is found in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya. I photographed this flashy stud in Tanzania.

Based on this photo it is hard to believe that Agamas are usually adorned in brown or gray. Each year the drab males transform into this cacophony of color during the mating season to dazzle the females and win a mate. Check out the range of colors on this bold male. At his head, we start with shades of dramatic pinks and oranges. His upper torso is primarily colored in orange. Then we transition to shades of blue on the lower body, tail, and legs.

Like all reptiles the MFHRA is covered in scales, and in this case, very colorful ones at that. The scales are made of alpha and beta-keratin (Our fingernails and hair are made of keratin). Lizards often live in hot, arid climates and the scales help trap moisture inside the body and sometimes can be used like a suit of armor, protecting the body from bites and scrapes.

Did you notice those crazy-looking toes/fingers???

Agamas are active during the day and dine primarily on insects though they will eat eggs of other lizards and occasionally feed on grass, berries, and seeds. The Mwanza flat-headed rock agama lives in semideserts and can often be found basking on rocks or kopjes.

You can read more about agama lizards, and their silly behavior, in my post about a Red-headed Agama (shown below) that I photographed at the Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya.

Click the button: Attitude a la Agama