Rough-nosed horned lizard

Rough-nosed horned lizard
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Agamidae
Genus:	Ceratophora
Species:	C. aspera
Binomial name
Ceratophora aspera Günther, 1864

The rough-nosed horned lizard (Ceratophora aspera) is a lizard from Sri Lanka in lowland dipterocarp forests and secondary forests in the wet zone. It is distinguished from all the other Ceratophora species by the presence of a complex rostral appendage, comprising more scales than rostral scale alone. The lateral body scales are small and more or less regular shape.

An X-shaped dorsal ridge at back of head. Tympanum hidden under the skin. A weak dorso-nuchal crest confined to the neck region. Gular fold absent. Body slightly compressed. Lamellae under fourth toe counts 11-14. Males are dark brown or brick-red dorsally and on the flanks. Females may be similar to males in coloration and can be lighter, with some individuals have four diamond-shaped marks and black spots or longitudinal lines on dorsum.

Natural history

A terrestrial species, it is found on leaf litter in well-shaded forests, usually in pairs. Two soft-shelled eggs are laid.

Habitat & Distribution

A ground-dwelling species and lives in pairs. Restricted to the moist lowlands and submontane dipterocarp forests region in southern Sri Lanka, including Hiniduma, Kottawa below 900m of elevation.

Reproduction

2 eggs are laid at a time.

References