Otocryptis beddomii

Otocryptis beddomii
Indian Kangaroo Lizard
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: ''Otocryptis''
Species: ''beddomii''
Binomial name
Otocryptis beddomii
Boulenger, 1885

The Indian Kangaroo Lizard (Otocryptis beddomii) is a species of agamid lizard found in south India (Thenmala in Kerala; Western Ghats; previously reported from Courtallam hills; Sivagiri Ghats, Cardamom Hills) The species is named after Richard Henry Beddome, 1830–1911, British army officer and botanist. It is related to the Sri Lankan Kangaroo Lizard (Otocryptis wiegmanni).

Description

From snout to vent 1.75 inches ; tail 3 inches. Head-scales sharply keeled as in O. bivittata but the interorbitals only a little smaller than the others, in two or three longitudinal series ; the inverted Y-shaped figure formed by the keels of some of the scales generally indistinct ; canthus rostralis less prominent ; 9 or 10 upper and as many lower labials. A small pit on each side of the neck, in front of the shoulder. Dorsal scales unequal, the enlarged ones sometimes forming regular chevrons on the back, with the point directed backwards, or a lateral longitudinal series, the latter always distinct on the sacral region ; lateral scales a little smaller, with scattered enlarged ones ; ventral scales much larger than dorsals. Limbs above with large equal keeled scales ; the hind limb stretched forwards reaches beyond the tip of the snout, the heel reaches the tympanum. Tail round, slender, not twice as long as head and body, covered with equal strongly keeled scales. Light brownish olive above, uniform, or with small scattered dark-brown spots on the back and limbs ; a more or less distinct light dark-edged oblique band from below the eye to the mouth ; lower surfaces whitish, the throat brownish in the young.

References

  • Boulenger, George Albert (1885) Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History) I. Geckonidae, Eublepharidae, Uroplatidae, Pygopodidae, Agamidae. London: 450 pp. OCLC 68469527


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