Agama Caucasian: description and habitat

Stony slopes, rocks, gorges, huge blocks, ruins are the most likely places where you can meet such a mountain lizard as the Caucasian agama.

The habitat of this reptile extends to the territory of Turkey, Iran, and Dagestan. Also reptiles are found in Afghanistan and the eastern part of the Caucasus.

Agama Caucasian: the shape and color of the body

The reptile is fairly large, the length of the trunk without a tail is about 15 cm, with the tail 36 cm. The weight of an adult animal is 160 grams. The broad trunk, the base of the tail and the angular massive head of the Caucasian agama are flattened, the scales are characterized by different sizes and shapes: on the tail is located by regular rings. The tympanic membrane is located on the surface of the head. Agama Caucasian, the development of claws which occurs from the base (as in mammals), has thin fingers. The reptilian claws are erased and bent depending on the conditions of existence: the presence of natural shelters or their absence, soft or hard ground.

The abdomen of the animal is colored in cream or light brown color. A characteristic feature of this species is a dark marble pattern on the throat. Young specimens clearly show a pattern of transverse bands: dark and light.

Agama Caucasian is painted in brown or gray, which depends on the background of the environment. Reptile living on red sandstones - brownish-red, on calcareous rocks - gray-ashy, the inhabitant of basalt rocks has a brown, almost black color.

Lifestyle

The animal is active until the autumn - early winter. With the onset of the period of hibernation falls into a stupor. The temperature index of the body at this time varies from +0.8 ^о С to +9,8 ^о С. In warm winter the body temperature rises, and already in January, having awakened from sleep, the animal comes to the surface.

In the agama food, the Caucasian is not picky: it eats vegetarian food (fruits, seeds, buds of flowers, leaves), spiders, beetles, butterflies. Can use a small snake or a small lizard (even its kind).

Despite the seeming slowness, the Caucasian agama is very agile, deftly moves among the stones and is able to jump from one to another for a distance of up to half a meter. Moving along the surface of the soil, the tail rises high; Clambering over the rocks, presses him against the rocks, leaning on the tail spikes. Thanks to powerful paws and tenacious claws it is able to be kept on steep walls, steep slopes, smooth boulders.

In places of distribution, Caucasian agama often comes to the fore because of the large number. In the morning hours (after sunrise), reptiles emerge from shelters and take long sunbaths, looking out for potential prey in passing. As observation posts, steep slopes or stone blocks are used, on which, they observe what is happening around. In the process of observing the outside world, they periodically squat on the front legs.

Behavior in case of danger

Agama of the Caucasus, whose habitat is almost always associated with mountains and foothills, the approach of danger feels at a distance of 20-30 meters. Turning in the direction of the enemy, the excitement produces frequent inclinations of the head. Allowing the approaching object to 2-3 meters, lightning rushes to its shelter and, clinging to the stones located at the entrance, is masked. In case of extreme danger, the lizard hides in the shelter, it is impossible to extract from where it is not possible: the animal swells in size and clings to scales for any irregularities. There are cases of wedging of reptiles in a narrow gap and their subsequent death from depletion.

The captured Caucasian agama, whose habitat extends to many territories, does not resist and falls into a semi-faint state. At this moment, you can do anything with a reptile: put it on your head, hang it by the tail, put it on your back - the agama will still remain motionless. You can bring the animal out of the state of stupor with a sharp sound (for example, cotton in the palm of your hand).

Mating period

Observing process and protection of the territory, on which constantly lives from 1 to 4 females, are engaged in males. If a foreign representative of a male is violated by the border, the site owner immediately attacks him. Such actions are quite enough to turn the "invader" into flight.

Mating in the Caucasian agamas begins after awakening (March-April) and lasts until the middle of summer. Male pays attention to all the "ladies" who live in his area and communicates with them even after the breeding season. Nomadic males, which are most often young lizards, do not participate in reproduction.

Generation of offspring

The mating is produced by the female at the end of spring-summer in a rock fissure or in a hole dug under a stone. During the season, 2 masonry are possible. Number of eggs (up to 2.5 cm in size) in the nest from 4 to 14 pieces. After 1.5-2 months from the moment of laying, a new generation of such a unique animal as the Caucasian agama appears. The development of claws and other organs is quite active. Sexual maturity of reptiles is reached at the 3rd year of life.

Migration of the Caucasian agama

Basically, Caucasian agama, whose habitat is also recorded on the territory of Armenia, Georgia, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, lives on a permanent place. Sometimes in search of deep reliable shelters, helping to survive the wintering, the animal is forced to migrate. Since suitable places for wintering are often occupied by the same individuals, with the arrival of spring Agama, the Caucasus returns to its territory. The problem of finding a place also occurs in females of this species of lizards, who are looking for a place to lay eggs. And since among the rocks it is quite difficult to find it, mountain agama sometimes overcomes distances of up to several kilometers to find shelter with suitable conditions. Cubs hatching in the places of masonry, in the same winter, and then settle on the territory.

Content in captivity

In captivity, the animal should be kept in spacious horizontal terrariums with sufficient height, as the Caucasian agama willingly uses vertical surfaces. As a primer, gravel is optimal. The recommended temperature of the content is + 28-30 ^о С (with heating up to + 40-45 ^о С). The night value should be + 18-20 ^o C. In winter, lizards need to provide a cool climate.

The rear wall of the terrarium can be shaped as a rock with shallow slots into which the animal should be able to hide. As a food, you can give different insects. A couple of times a week, the diet should be varied with apples, oranges, sprouts of oats. The Caucasian agama and newborn mice will not refuse. For successful maintenance it is recommended to feed agama with various mineral and vitamin supplements, and also irradiate with ultraviolet.