Chelosania
| Chelosania | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Chelosania Gray, 1845 |
| Species: | C. brunnea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chelosania brunnea Gray, 1845
| |
Chelosania is a genus of agamid lizards that contains a single species, Chelosania brunnea.[2] These are commonly known as the chameleon dragon.[1][2][3][4] They live in the northern parts of West Australia, the Northern Territory, and northwestern Queensland.[1][3]
Chelosania has short limbs with a laterally compressed body, and small eye apertures and large ear openings.[5] They have an average snout to vent length of 11.8 cm,[4] and average total length of 30 cm.[3]
Chelosania is usually seen on the ground or in low level vegetation, and is slow moving.[3] Females lay eggs in burrows between July and August, with up to 8 eggs recorded. Chelosania eats ants, and has been recorded eating green ants.[5]
Genetic analysis shows that Chelosania, along with the thorny devil, is a significantly older species than more recent desert agamids.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Teale, R.; Melville, J.; Wilson, S.; Ellis, R. (2017). "Chelosania brunnea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T83410049A83453653. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T83410049A83453653.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b Chelosania at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 22 February 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Chelosania brunnea". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Chameleon dragon". Australian Reptile Online Database. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ^ a b c Melville, Jane; Wilson, Steve (2019). Dragon Lizards of Australia. Melbourne: Museums Victoria Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-921833-49-6.
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