The Keeled Indian Mabuya

The Keeled Indian Mabuya, Eutropis carinata basking in the sun

The Keeled Indian Mabuya, Eutropis carinata (Syn. Mabuya carinata) photographed near the Besant Nagar beach. This is one of the common skinks found inTamil Nadu. It has an all-India distribution and is found in all types of forest habitats, disturbed scrub forest and open dry lands and agricultural lands.

These are mid-sized lizards with flattened cylindrical bodies, tails of medium length, and well-developed arms and legs; the hands and feet have 5 toes each. The scales on the back and belly are similar in shape, but those in the back are keeled. They are carnivorous and largely eat insects. They also eat earthworms, millipedes and isopods. In the breeding season males have a scarlet band from the shoulder to the thigh. The female lays 2-3 eggs per clutch.

Australian Water Dragon at Auckland Zoo

Juvenile Australian Water Dragon

Photographed this fine specimen of a juvenile Australian Water Dragon, Physignathus lesueurii basking in the sun at the Reptile House in Auckland Zoo. Australian Water dragons are arboreal agamid lizards native to Eastern Australia from Victoria north to Queensland.

I was particularly impressed by its beautifully patterned scales and black and white colouration. Water dragons have long powerful limbs and claws that are well adapted for climbing and a long muscular laterally-compressed tail to aid swimming.

Adults, especially, males have prominent nuchal and vertebral crests. The nuchal crest is a central row of spikes at the base of the head. These spikes continue down the spine, getting smaller as they reach the base of the tail.

Adults prefers habitats near water and are often found in trees overhanging water from which they will drop into the water if disturbed, enabling them to escape. Juveniles prefer low vegetation near water.

Water Dragons reproduce by laying 6 to 18 eggs. The female Water Dragons dig shallow nests in a sunny open position generally in sandy soil. The nests are normally located not far from water, either near rivers, streams or ponds.

Water dragons exhibit a very interesting phenomenon called Temperature Dependent Sex Determinaton. Sex of the hatchlings is related not to sex chromosomes but to the prevailing nest temperature. Females are predominantly produced at hot and cold temperatures (above 28 degrees Celsius or below 26 degrees Celsius) and males at intermediate temperatures (26 to 28 degrees Celsius).

Oriental Garden Lizard

Young Oriental Garden Lizard or Changeable Lizard (Calotes versicolor) photographed while walking around in Besant Nagar. Calotes versicolor is an agamid lizard found widely distributed in Asia. The male gets a bright red throat in the breeding season which prompt many to call it a Bloodsucker. Others mistakenly call it a ‘Chamaeleon’.

Calotes versicolor

This lizard is relatively common and found in a wide range of habitats. They appear to adapt well to humans and are thus not endangered. The diet consists mainly of insects and small vertebrates, including other lizards. Sometime back, when I had kept a beehive at home, I have spotted Calotes sitting patiently and snacking on bees. Although they have teeth, these are designed more for gripping the prey and not for tearing it up. As a child, I have caught many garden lizards and can testify that they can bite quite hard, especially, the larger males.