Acanthosaura | |
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Acanthosaura sp. | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Iguania |
Family: | Agamidae |
Subfamily: | Draconinae |
Genus: | Acanthosaura Gray, 1831 |
Acanthosaura is a genus of lizards, commonly known as mountain horned dragons or pricklenape agamas, in the family Agamidae. The common name "pricklenape" refers to a row of dorsal spines which runs down the back of the neck. They are arboreal lizards found in Southeast Asia. They are medium-sized, their total length (including tail) ranging from about 7.5 to 15 in (19 to 38 cm), depending on species and individual. As the common name "mountain horned dragons" implies, they tend to prefer higher elevation areas with dense vegetation.
Mountain horned dragons are insectivorous, consuming only live food. Common foods in captivity include crickets, earthworms, silkworms, mealworms, moths, roaches, wax worms, and grasshoppers. They require a variety in diet and will often refuse food when offered in excessive redundancy.
Typical Acanthosaura feeding behavior is a sit-and-wait style. They will perch 1 to 2 m (3.3 to 6.6 ft) off the ground until they spot their prey, which is often down on the ground. A display of aerobatics is not uncommon from Acanthosaura species when hunting food. They will eat and hunt fish, but most will not submerge their heads to catch a meal.
Females of the genus Acanthosaura lay their first clutch of eggs about four months after mating. They may lay up to four clutches total per year, separated by a month or two.
Mountain horned dragons are popular pets, and readily available in the exotic pet trade. A. capra is considered the hardiest and most easily kept species of the genus, and is the most common species found for sale in the United States. [1] While not considered to be difficult to breed in captivity, most specimens available are wild caught. However, due to captive breeding, more and more captive bred lizards are available.
Agamidae is a family of over 300 species of iguanian lizards indigenous to Africa, Asia, Australia, and a few in Southern Europe. Many species are commonly called dragons or dragon lizards.
Gekko is a genus of Southeast Asian geckos, commonly known as true geckos or calling geckos, in the family Gekkonidae. Although species such as Gekko gecko are very widespread and common, some species in the same genus have a very small range and are considered rare or endangered.
Cnemaspis is a genus of diurnal (day) geckos found in Asia. With over 100 species, it is one of the most diverse genera of geckos. Molecular phylogenies suggest that the two regional groupings may form distinct clades which are not each other's closest relatives.
Cyrtodactylus is a diverse genus of Asian geckos, commonly known as bent-toed geckos, bow-fingered geckos, and forest geckos. The genus has about 300 described species as of 2020, which makes it the largest of all gecko genera.
Pseudocalotes is a genus of agamid lizards endemic to Southeast Asia.
Oligodon is genus of colubrid snakes that was first described by the Austrian zoologist Fitzinger in 1826. This genus is widespread throughout central and tropical Asia. The snakes of this genus are commonly known as kukri snakes..
Rhacophorus is a genus of frogs in the shrub frog family (Rhacophoridae) and the related Hylidae make up the true tree frogs. They are found in India, Japan, Madagascar, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Over 40 species are currently recognised.
The Draconinae are a subfamily of reptiles in the family Agamidae found in southern Asia and Oceania. Some taxonomists believe these genera belong to the subfamily Agaminae.
Lichtenfelder's gecko is a species of lizard in the family Eublepharidae. The species is endemic to southeastern Asia.
Acanthosaura crucigera is a species of lizard commonly known as the masked spiny lizard , Boulenger's pricklenape, or masked horned tree lizard. They are found in Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Cambodia.
Acanthosaura coronata is a species of agamid lizard commonly known as the crowned spiny lizard. They are found in the lowland tropical forests of eastern Cambodia and Vietnam, where they are diurnal. Although often found near the ground, they have cryptic colouration and climb trees when threatened.
Acanthosaura capra is a species of Agamid lizards: commonly known as the mountain horned dragon, it is also called the Indo-Chinese spiny lizard or the green pricklenape.
Acanthosaura lepidogaster, commonly known as the brown pricklenape, is a species of agamid lizard found in Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and China.
Acanthosaura cardamomensis is a species of Agamid lizard found in eastern Thailand, western Cambodia and Vietnam. Its name derives from the Cardamom Mountains in eastern Thailand. It was first identified in 2010.
Acanthosaura armata is a species of agamid lizard commonly known as the armored pricklenape or peninsular horned tree lizard. A. armata can be found in China (Hainan), Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia (Sumatra).
Acanthosaura phuketensis, the Phuket horned tree agamid, is a species of arboreal lizard native to Phuket Province, Thailand. It was discovered in 2015. It is now the 11th species in the genus Acanthosaura.
Cnemaspis neangthyi, also known commonly as Neang Thy's rock gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Cambodia.
The Phuwua rock agama is a species of lizard within the family Agamidae. Mantheyus phuwuanensis is the only species in the genus Mantheyus. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia
Diploderma is a genus of lizards in the family Agamidae. Species of Diploderma are native to Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan. Most of the species are found in China, including many endemics.
Pseudocalotes floweri, commonly known as Thai false bloodsucker or Flower's forest agamid, is a species of agamid lizard. It is found in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.