Agama mwanzae

Agama mwanzae
Mwanza Flat-headed Agama
Male, Serengeti, Tanzania
Female, Serengeti, Tanzania
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Subfamily: Agaminae
Genus: Agama
Species: A. mwanzae
Binomial name
Agama mwanzae
Loveridge, 1923
Synonyms

Agama agama mwanzae
Agama planiceps mwanzae

The Mwanza Flat-headed Agama (Agama mwanzae), a lizard in the family Agamidae, is found in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya.[2]

It can often be seen in the heat of the day basking on rocks or kopjes. The male's head, neck and shoulders are bright red or violet, while the body is dark blue. The female is mostly brown and is difficult to distinguish from female agamas of other species. This lizard is often confused with the Red-headed Rock Agama (Agama agama).[3]

The species has become a fashionable pet due to its coloration, which resembles the comic book superhero Spider-Man.[4]

References

  1. ^ Menegon, M. & Spawls, S. (2009). "Agama mwanzae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/170371. 
  2. ^ Agama mwanzae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  3. ^ Spawls, S.; Howell, K. M.; Drewes, R. C. (2006). Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa. Princeton: Princeton University Press. 
  4. ^ "Spider-Man lookalike lizard is latest exotic pet craze". The Telegraph. 21 September 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6213807/Spider-Man-lookalike-lizard-is-latest-exotic-pet-craze.html. 
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