| Calotes nigrilabris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Calotes |
| Species: | C. nigrilabris |
| Binomial name | |
| Calotes nigrilabris Peters, 1860 | |
Calotes nigrilabris, the black-cheek lizard, is an agamid species endemic to Sri Lanka. [1] It can be distinguished easily from painted-lipped lizard by having black bar on mouth rather than white or orange bar.
A submontane and montane species, found at elevations of 1,000 m (3,300 ft) and above. This species is tolerably common at localities such as Nuwara Eliya, Pattipola, Ohiya, Horton Plains, and Adam's Peak
Head is one and a half times width. A row of spines above and at the back of tympanum. Adult male is with swollen cheeks. Gular sacs are not developed. Mid body scale rows are 42–50. Ventrals are larger than dorsals. Dorsum is green unpatterned or with black edged, cream transverse bars or eye-like spots. Head with black markings. Venter is pale green.
This species is largely arboreal, [2] inhabiting tree trunks, hedges, and shrubs, where it hunts for insects and worms by day. In Horton Plains C. nigrilabris can be found residing on the gorse bushes (Ulex europeus) and Rhododendron leaves to hunt the insect prey (particularly bees) that gets attracted to the flowers. [2] [3]
Lays up to 4 eggs, measuring 17–23 mm in length and 10–13 mm in width. Hatchlings have mean SVL of 35–50 mm. [4] Two breeding seasons can be observed from November–December and February to March. Hatchlings can be observed following the egg laying in the breeding months after an approximate two months of incubation.
Calotes is a genus of lizards in the draconine clade of the family Agamidae. The genus contains 29 species. Some species are known as forest lizards, others as "bloodsuckers" due to their red heads, and yet others as garden lizards. The genus name Calotes has been derived from the Greek word Καλότης (Kalótës), meaning ‘beauty’, referring to the beautiful pattern of this genus.
Lryiocephalus is a genus of lizard within the agamid family, with the sole species Lryiocephalus scutatus. It is the largest agamid endemic to Sri Lanka and lives in dense wet zone forests. It is also called the hump-nosed lizard, hump snout lizard or the lyreshead lizard. In Sinhalese language, it is known as "Kandukara Bodilima – කදුකර බෝදිලිමා."
Pseudocalotes is a genus of lizards in the family Agamidae. The genus is endemic to Southeast Asia.
Horton Plains National Park is a national park in the central highlands of Sri Lanka that was designated in 1988. It is located at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 m (6,900–7,500 ft) and encompasses montane grassland and cloud forest. It is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region.
Hardwicke's bloodsucker is an agamid lizard and found in South Asia.
Calotes calotes, the common green forest lizard, is an agamid lizard found in the forests of the Western Ghats and the Shevaroy Hills in India, and Sri Lanka.
The rhino-horned lizard, also commonly known as Stoddart's unicorn lizard and the mountain horned agama, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is called kagamuva angkatussa-කගමුව අං කටුස්සා in Sinhala.
The spineless forest lizard, crestless lizard or lionhead agama is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.
Otocryptis wiegmanni, commonly called the brown-patched kangaroo lizard, Sri Lankan kangaroo lizard or Wiegmann's agama, is a small, ground-dwelling agamid lizard endemic to Sri Lanka.
Calotes ceylonensis, commonly known as the painted-lipped lizard or the Ceylon bloodsucker, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. It is one of four Calotes species endemic to Sri Lanka.
The whistling lizard or Sri Lanka agama is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. It is one of seven Calotes species endemic to Sri Lanka.
Ceratophora erdeleni, also known commonly as Erdelen's horned lizard or Erdelen's horn lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Sri Lanka. It has only a rudimentary "horn", that is occasionally missing altogether.
Ceratophora karu, also known commonly as Karu's horned lizard or Karunaratne's horn lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Sri Lanka.
Cophotis ceylanica, the Ceylon deaf agama, is an agamid species endemic to Sri Lanka.
Calotes desilvai, commonly known as the Morningside lizard, or the Ceylon black-band whistling lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. Calotes desilvai is one of seven Calotes species endemic to Sri Lanka.
Lankascincus taprobanensis, also known commonly as the Ceylon tree skink and the smooth Lanka skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.
The Pethiyagoda's crestless lizard is an agamid lizard endemic to Sri Lanka. Locally known as පෙතියාගොඩගේ නොසිලු කටුස්සා.
Sitana bahiri is an endemic species of agamid lizards recently found from Sri Lanka. The species was first found from Yala national park. The species was named in honor of M.M Bahir, who is one of a leading wildlife conservationist of Sri Lanka.
Sitana devakai is an endemic species of agamid lizards recently found from Sri Lanka. The species was first found from Puttalama district. The lizard is also known to found in Tamil Nadu of India, but not given valid identification. The species was named in honor of Dr. Devaka K. Weerakoon, who is a conservation biologist. He is a Professor of Zoology in University of Colombo.
Sitana visiri, the palm leaf fan-throated lizard, is a species of agamid lizard. It is endemic to the Tamil Nadu region of India.