Calotes jerdoni, commonly known as the Indo-Chinese forest lizard or Jerdon's forest lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to China and South Asia.
| Calotes jerdoni | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Calotes |
| Species: | C. jerdoni
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| Binomial name | |
| Calotes jerdoni | |
Etymology
editThe specific name, jerdoni, is in honor of British biologist Thomas C. Jerdon.[2] Common names include green forest lizard, green garden lizard, Indochinese forest lizard and Jerdon's forest lizard.
Description/Identification
editPhysical structure: A compressed-bodied lizard. This species resembles Calotes maria in pholidotic (scale) and other characters except that it has 45-57 scales round the body; gular scales much larger than the ventral scales; there is an oblique curved fold covered with small granular scales in front of the shoulders; nuchal crest less prominent; the hind-limb reaches to the eye or not quite so far.[3] Dorsal and lateral scales directed upward.
Color pattern: Deep-green dorsal coloration with yellow, orange or brown spots, but in many cases can make the body into a dark brown within a few seconds.
Length: Maximum total length (including tail): 38.5 cm (15.2 in).[3] Common total length: 32 cm (13 in). Common snout-to-vent length (SVL) : 9 cm (3.5 in).
Distribution and habitat
editBangladesh, Bhutan, China (W Yunnan, Xizang = Tibet), India (Khasi Hills in Assam & Shillong) and Myanmar.
Terrestrial & arboreal; diurnal;[3] found in many types of forested land. Prefers dense and bushy hill forest.[4] A skillful and an adept climber, it moves over trees and bushes rather swiftly. It is active during the day time.[4]
Diet
editInsectivorous; feeds largely on insects but at times bird-eggs, nestlings, and frogs too are eaten up.[4]
Reproduction
editOviparous; breeding season begins around April when males develop bright coloration in the forebody and begin to chase females. Female digs a small hollow in soft earth and lays 11-23 eggs in it for incubation and safety.[4]
Threat to humans
editNon-venomous and completely harmless to humans.
References
edit- ^ Species Calotes jerdoni at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Calotes jerdoni, p. 134)
- ^ a b c TIKADER, B.K.; SHARMA, R.C. "Indian Lizards Handbook" (PDF). Faunaofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-09-21. Retrieved 2015-10-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Further reading
edit- Annandale N (1905). "Contributions to Oriental Herpetology. Suppl. II. Notes on the Oriental lizards in the Indian Museum, with a list of the species recorded from British India and Ceylon". Journal & Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 1 (2): 81–93.
- Günther A (1870). "Descriptions of a New Indian Lizard of the Genus Calotes ". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1870: 778-779 + Plate XLV. (Calotes jerdoni, new species).
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