Leaf-nosed Lizard

Leaf-nosed Lizard
Leaf-nosed Lizard
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Ceratophora
Species: C. tennentii
Binomial name
Ceratophora tennentii
Günther, 1861

The Leaf-nosed Lizard or Tennent's Leaf-nosed Lizard (Ceratophora tennentii) is a species of lizard in the Agamidae family. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.

Contents

Description

The arboreal leaf-nosed lizard, also known as the "horn-nosed lizard" or "Horned lizard", has a leaf-like appendage on the end of its nose, the species can reach lengths of over 8 inches including the tail. The Latin word for which it was named, Ceratophora, means horn bearer. The males usually have more green in their coloration than females seem to have, although they can change color to a reddish brown. The females usually have shorter appendages on their nose. These lizards are not very agile and rely more on their coloration to avoid predators rather than speed. The lizard is diurnal and therefore is usually only active in the day. Very little is actually known about this unusual lizard.

Habitat

Found in the wet tropical montane cloud forests of the Knuckles mountains in Sri Lanka, although they have been recorded in several other forest habitats.

Diet

The leaf nosed lizard is reported to feed on insects

Reproduction

The leaf-nosed lizard lays eggs and is a sexually reproducing animal.

Threats

deforestation, pesticides, climate change, forest fire and bioaccumulation. Much of the leaf-nosed lizards habitat has been cleared for illegal logging, agriculture, and the cardamom, coffee, tea, and rubber plantations over the past two centuries.

Captivity

As of now the leaf-nosed lizard is protected because of its endangered status, making its trade is illegal.

Conservation Efforts

In 2000, areas above 1,067 m above sea level were protected and labeled as conservation forest. The cardamom cultivation had to be abandoned in this range of area. However, rather than allowing the natural regeneration, the cardamom was taken over by invasive weeds such as mistflower (Eupatorium riparium) and Lantana (Lantana camara). it was placed on the endangered list by the IUCN in 2006.

Source

Reptiles Magazine

http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/reptiles/Ceratophora_tennentii/


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