Rajasthan toad-headed lizard

Rajasthan toad-headed lizard
On desert sand (Rajasthan)
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Agamidae
Genus:	Bufoniceps Arnold, 1992
Species:	B. laungwalaensis
Binomial name
Bufoniceps laungwalaensis (Sharma, 1978)
Synonyms [2]
Phrynocephalus laungwalaensis Sharma, 1980 Bufoniceps laungwalaensis — Arnold, 1992 Bufoniceps laungwalensis — Das, 1996: 43

The Rajasthan toad-headed lizard (Bufoniceps laungwalaensis), also known commonly as the Laungwala long-headed lizard and the Laungwala toad-headed agama, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Agaminae of the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to India

Taxonomy

Bufoniceps laungwalaensis is the only species in the genus Bufoniceps. ^[2]

Description

Bufoniceps laungwalaensis may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 7 cm (2.8 in). The external ear opening is very small, and the tympanum is deeply set. The digits have fringes of flat, pointed scales. There is no gular sac, and there are no femoral pores nor preanal pores. ^[3]

Geographic distribution

In India, Bufoniceps laungwalaensis is found in the Rajasthan Desert, in Jaisalmer District. The type locality is recorded as Laungwala, Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan, India. ^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Bufoniceps laungwalaensis is desert sand dunes. ^[1]

Behavior

Bufoniceps laungwalaensis is terrestrial. ^[1] It does not excavate burrows, but can bury itself in sand by "shivering". ^[3]

Diet

Bufoniceps laungwalaensis preys upon insects of the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Orthoptera, and it also preys upon small lizards. ^[3]

Reproduction

Bufoniceps laungwalaensis is oviparous. ^[2]

Gallery

• 
  In Rajasthan, India (frontal view)
• 
  In Rajasthan, India (lateral view)
• 
  In Rajasthan, India (habitat view)

References

1. Vyas, R.; Srinivasulu, C.; Mohapatra, P. (2021). "Bufoniceps laungwalaensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/202856/2757362. Accessed on 31 October 2025.
2. Species Bufoniceps laungwalaensis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
3. Das, I. (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. ISBN   0-88359-056-5. 144 pp. (Bufoniceps laungwalaensis, p. 70).

Further reading

• Agarwal, I.; Mistry, V.K.; Tillack, F. (2009). "Über die Rajasthan-Krötenkopfagame Bufoniceps laungwalaensis (Sharma, 1978), ein Endemit aus der Wüste Thar ". Sauria. 30 (4): 37–48. (in German).
• Arnold, E.N. (1992). "The Rajasthan Toad-headed lizard, Phrynocephalus laungwalaensis (Reptilia: Agamidae), represents a new genus". Journal of Herpetetology26 (4): 467–472. (Bufoniceps laungwalaensis, new combination).
• Barts, M.; Wilms, T. (2003). "Die Agamen der Welt ". Draco4 (14): 4–23. (in German).
• Sharma, R.C. (1978). "A new species of Phrynocephalus Kaup (Reptilia: Agamidae) from the Rajasthan Desert, India, with notes on ecology". Bulletin of the Zoological Survey of India1 (3): 291–294. (Phrynocephalus laungwalaensis, new species).
• Varma, V.; Choure, G. (2022). "Bufoniceps laungwalaensis (Laungwala Toad-headed Agama). Death-feigning". Herpetological Review. 53 (1): 130–131.

External links

• Bufoniceps laungwalaensis