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Common butterfly lizard | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Iguania |
Family: | Agamidae |
Genus: | Leiolepis |
Species: | L. belliana |
Binomial name | |
Leiolepis belliana | |
Synonyms [3] | |
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The common butterfly lizard (Leiolepis belliana), also called the butterfly agama or butterfly lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is native to Asia.
The specific name, belliana, is in honor of English zoologist Thomas Bell. [4]
The common name butterfly lizard is from flaps of skin on their sides which can expand to look like butterfly wings. [5]
L. belliana can be found in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. [2]
It has been observed as an invasive species in Florida as far back as 1992. It was originally introduced by a tropical fish dealer in the Miami area and populations there continue to spread. The ecological impacts on native Florida species are unknown. [6]
L. belliana has a tan or olive green body and yellow spots on its back, with small orange and black lines on its sides and extendable side flaps. Male lizards will have bright red and black stripes during mating season. [7] Adults can reach 15 inches in length. [5]
L. belliana are strictly monogamous and share their burrow with their partner. Females can lay up to 8 eggs at a time. Babies are cared for in the parent's burrow for a few months before they dig their own burrows nearby. [8]
The butterfly lizard feeds primarily on insects including grasshoppers, beetle larvae, and butterflies, though sometimes feeds on plants. [8]
L. belliana prefers open, dry areas and grasslands. It digs and lives in burrows averaging 30 cm (12 in) deep and 70 cm (28 in) long which it protects itself in during the night. [6]
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.
Ceratophora is a genus of agamid lizards found in Sri Lanka. The male has a horn on its snout.
Gonocephalus is a genus of agamid lizards endemic to southeast Asia.
Leiolepis, commonly known as butterfly lizards or butterfly agamas, are group of agamid lizards. They are native to Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Ryukyu Islands (Japan), Vietnam, and Hainan (China). The genus includes both sexual and asexual species. Leiolepis is the sole genus of subfamily Leiolepidinae.
Hardwicke's bloodsucker is an agamid lizard and found in South Asia.
Calotes emma, commonly known as the forest garden lizard or Emma Gray's forest lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is native to China, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. There are two recognized subspecies.
Monilesaurus rouxii, commonly known as Roux's forest lizard, Roux's forest calotes, or the forest blood sucker, is a species of arboreal, diurnal, agamid lizard, which is endemic to hills of peninsular India. In July 2018, it was proposed that the species should be transferred to the new genus Monilesaurus.
Japalura andersoniana, Anderson's mountain lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is native to southern Asia.
Japalura tricarinata is a species of agamid lizard endemic to Asia.
Laudakia dayana, commonly known as the Haridwar agama, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is native to extreme northern India.
Japalura austeniana, also known commonly as the Abor Hills agama or Annandale's dragon, is a rare species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Asia.
Phrynocephalus theobaldi is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Asia.
Blanford's rock agama is species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Peninsular India. One of two species in the genus, P. blanfordanus is found mainly to the east of the distribution of P. dorsalis. Unlike the other species, the male P. blanfordanus in breeding season has the red body color restricted to the head and lacks the broad dorsal stripe.
Saara hardwickii, commonly known as Hardwicke's spiny-tailed lizard or the Indian spiny-tailed lizard is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is found in patches across the Thar desert, Kutch, and surrounding arid zones in India and Pakistan. It is mainly herbivorous and lives in numbers in some areas. Since it is found in loose clusters it often attracts predators such as raptors. It is also hunted by local peoples in the belief that the fat extracted from it is an aphrodisiac.
Gekko smithii, commonly known as Smith's green-eyed gecko or the large forest gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to mainland Southeast Asia and Indonesia.
Crossobamon orientalis, commonly called the Sind gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
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.
Ceratophora tennentii, commonly known as the rhinoceros agama, horn-nosed lizard, and Tennent's leaf-nosed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Sri Lanka.
Diploderma hamptoni, also known commonly as Hampton's japalure, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Myanmar.
Laudakia sacra, also known commonly as Anan's rock agama, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Tibet.