Ctenophorus pictus
| Painted dragon | |
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| Ctenophorus pictus, Painted dragon | |
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| Species: | C. pictus
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| Binomial name | |
| Ctenophorus pictus Peters, 1866
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The Painted Dragon (Ctenophorus pictus, formerly Amphibolurus pictus[1]) is a species of lizard from the Agamidae family found in the drier areas of southern and central Australia.
Description
dorsal view
The Painted Dragon is a medium-sized terrestrial lizard with a short, deep head and uniform body scales. The appearance of this species is extremely variable as it can appear in a number of different coulour combinations.[2] Adult males can be brown, yellowish-brown, orange to reddish-brown with dark-edged pale bars, blotches or spots overlaying a dark vertebral stripe.[2] The flanks are spotted, veriegated (irregular patches/streaks), or reticulated (net-like pattern) with dark brown and dotted with scattered, pale, dark-edged spots which will sometimes be alligned perpendicular to the vertebral stripe.[3] The limbs are variegated and the pattern on the tail is often obscure but broad dark bands at the base.[3] Breeding males will exhibit a bright blue flush over the lower lips, throat and limbs and a bright yellow to orange flush over the anterior chest and shoulders.[2] Adult females and juviniles are duller in colour, lacking the bright blue and yellow pigmnet[2] with females being commonly found in a rusty brown colour.[1]
The scales, though varying slighty in size in different parts, are relatively uniform across the body[1] and are smooth to the touch.[3] A low crest on the back of the neck is often present which males will raise when alarmed[4] and usually a distinct vertebral series of slightly enlarged sclaes can be found along the back.[3] The ears are are exposed on the side of its head and it has rather large and conspicuous eardrums.[3]
Adults will grow to a full length of around 18-25 cm long with a snout-to-vent length of about 7.5 cm.[2] [4] The tail of this species usually accounts for about 65% of its total body length.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Painted Dragons are found throughout the drier parts of south-eastern Western Australia, through South Australia to north-western Victoria and central-western New South Wales.[3] They prefer semi-arid to arid regions, favouring shrublands and hummock grasslands on sandy and saline soils.[2]
Ecology
Like most agamids, Painted Dragons are swift-moving reptiles, capable of impressive sprints over short distances.[5] This diurnal (day-active) lizard, like the majority reptiles, is an ectotherm meaning that it has to rely on its environment to regulate body temperature and as a result will spend considerable time basking to absorb heat.[6] Known to be especially fond of low vegetation and ground debris such as fallen logs and branches[3], it occupies short burrows often concealed at the base of shrubs such as saltbush.[4][2] Unlike the majority of other agamids which like to perch in elevated places[5], this species prefers to rest on low branches[2], from which it will forage the surrounding open areas and ground litter.[3][2][4] When disturbed or alarmed it will quickly retreat to the safety of the nearby burrow.[4]
References
- ^ a b c Waite, E. R. (Ed.). (1929). The Reptiles and Amphibians of South Australia. Adelaide: Government Printer
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Wilson, S. & Swan, G. (2013). A complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia (4th ed.). London: New Holland Publishers
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Cogger, H. G. (2000). Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia (6th ed.). Sydney: Reed New Holland
- ^ a b c d e Hoser, R. T. (1989). Australian Reptiles and Frogs. Sydney: Pierson & CO
- ^ a b Wilson, S. K. (2012). Australian lizards: A natural history. Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing
- ^ Mayhew, W. W. (1963). Observations on Captive Amphibolurus pictus an Australian Agamid Lizard. Herpetologica, 19(2), 81-88. Available from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3890542
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