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Ghats. This species is easily distinguished fromthe common calotes by the
presence of an oblique curved fold in frontof the shoulder, extending
nearly across the throat. During the breedingseason the upper part ot the
head and the neck becomes bright redcontrasting strongly with black or
dark brown of the rest of the body.
Another common agamid in the State is the Fan-throated
lizardSitanaponticeriana Cuv distinguished from all other agamid lizards
by thepresence of only 4 instead of 5 toes. The Fan-throated lizard is
muchsmaller than theCalotesand is dark brown above with a series of
darkerblack edged spots along the middle of the back. In the breeding
seasonthe fan like appendage on the throat of the male becomes bright
blue-black in colour and this is displayed by folding and, unfolding
duringcourtship. The lizard can cover short distances at speed on two
legs.Mainly an inhabitant of dry, open country, it is fond of basking on
thesand even during the hottest part of the day.
Two other agamids arc likely to occur in the State. The Flying
lizardDraco dussumieriDum. & Bibr. has been recorded from North
Kanarain Mysore andPsammophilus blanfordanus(Blanford) is known to
occurin eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh and may also be found
inadjoining Vidarbha.
The family Chamaeleonidae is represented in India by a single
speciesChamaeleon zeylanicusLaurrenti which is found throughout
peninsularIndia, south of the Gangetic plain. Chamaeleons are easily
distinguishedby the opposable toes on their limbs, the long club-shaped
tongue, theindependantly movable eyes and the casque on the posterior
part of thehead. The tail is prehensile. It grows to a length of 175 mm.
headand body, with a tail of 200 mm. Normally the colour in life is
greenvarying from pale green to nearly black, but under excitement the
body may become mottled with transverse blotches or bands of yellow
orblue black. The food consists of insects and their larvae. In searchof
prey, the eyes move independently and when a prey is located, thehead is
turned towards it and both eyes focused on it and approachingclosely the
FAUNA 629