Adorned thorntail dragon
| Adorned thorntail dragon | ||||||||||||
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Adorned thorntail dragon ( Uromastyx ocellata ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Uromastyx ocellata | ||||||||||||
| Lichtenstein , 1823 |
The decked Dornschwanzagame ( Uromastyx ocellata ) is within the family of Agamen (Agamidae) for genus of Uromasticinae ( Uromastyx ).
description
The decorated thorn-tailed dragon reaches a total length of 30 cm, with the head-trunk length about 16.5 cm and the tail 13.5 cm. This makes it one of the smaller species of the thorn-tailed agamen genus. The back decorated with white eye-spots on a reddish background is characteristic of decorated thorn-tailed dragons. The males are generally more colorful. Their head and torso are reddish or greenish in color. The abdomen usually remains white or yellowish, especially in females. The colors can vary depending on the heat and exposure to light. The claws of the decorated thorn-tailed dragon are particularly pronounced for digging underground structures in which it can be found as a diurnal animal at night. The tail is equipped with pointed scales. It is used to defend against predators.
Thorntail dragons live both solitary and in smaller groups. They do not hibernate however, in the winter months, a hibernation .
distribution
The adorned thorntail dragon is at home in the rocky deserts of Africa around the Red Sea . It is most common in Egypt , Eritrea , Somalia , Djibouti , Ethiopia and Sudan . It has a low water requirement and is therefore well adapted to the desert regions.
food
Decorated thorn-tailed dragons are predominantly herbivores. However, young animals in particular need insects as a nutritional supplement.
Mating behavior
Decorated thorntail dragons are sexually mature at 3–5 years. The male begins mating with special courtship behavior. It nods its head or abdomen and then begins a top dance. The female turns on her back to show she is not ready to mate.
Species protection
Uromastyx ocellata are popular terrarium animals. They apply to BArtSchV as specially protected and are therefore reported. Changes in the population and the lawful acquisition of the animals must be reported to the respective state authorities.
literature
- Sherif Baha El Din : The herpetofauna of Egypt. Species, communities and assemblages. Nottingham 2001 (Unpublished Thesis submitted to the University of Nottingham for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy).
- Thomas Wilms : thorntail dragons. Way of life, care, breeding. 2nd, revised, greatly expanded edition. Herpeton Verlag Ingrid Köhler, Offenbach 2001, ISBN 3-9806214-7-2 .
- Thomas Wilms, Wolfgang Böhme : On the taxonomy and distribution of the species of the Uromastyx ocellata group (Sauria: Agamidae). In: Zoology in the Middle East. Vol. 21, 2000, pp. 55-76, doi : 10.1080 / 09397140.2000.10637834 .
Web links
- Uromastyx-Ocellata.de
- Uromastyx ocellata in The Reptile Database
- Uromastyx ocellata inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: Spawls, S., 2009. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Scientific information system on international species protection
- ↑ BArtSchV §7 paragraph 2.