Caimanops amphiboluroides

Caimanops (genus) Mulga Dragon (species)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Lacertilia
Family:	Agamidae
Subfamily:	Agaminae
Genus:	Caimanops Cogger, 1983
Species:	C. amphiboluroides
Binomial name
Caimanops amphiboluroides (Lucas & Frost, 1902)[1]
Synonyms
Diporiphora amphiboluroides

The Mulga Dragon (Caimanops amphiboluroides) is a species of agamid lizard found in Western Australia. It is the sole member of the genus Caimanops, whose name is derived from the crocodile-like shape of the jaw. The species is up to 250 mm long, the length from snout to vent is 95 mm, with a long slender tail that ends abruptly. The patterning over the legs and body is grey and brownish streaks. This provides an excellent camouflage on Mulga trees, its usual habitat, it is also found beneath the leaf litter of these. Caimanops amphiboluroides generally remain motionless and unobserved, this allows it to operate as an ambush predator and elude animals that would prey on it.^[2]

It resembles another Western Australian species, the Bearded Dragon (Pogona minor).

References

1. ^ Lucas, A. H. S. & Frost, C. 1902. Descriptions of some new lizards from Western Australia. Proc. R. Soc. Vict. 15: 76-79
2. ^ Browne-Cooper, Robert; Brian Bush, Brad Maryan, David Robinson (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press. p. 145, 146. ISBN 9778 1 920694 74 6. 

• Caimanops amphiboluroides at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database