Plavchennaya lizard - the master of scaring away

The placental lizard belongs to the class of reptiles (or reptiles), to a group of scaly ones, to the family of agamids. It inhabits the north of the Australian continent and the south of the island of New Guinea. In natural conditions can live up to 5 years, in captivity lives up to 10 years.

In length, the placental lizard grows to 80 cm, with more than 50 cm on the tail. The weight can be up to 0.7 kg. Her body can have a pinkish tint or dark gray. On the tail and back pass the lateral bands, more noticeable in young individuals. The whole body is covered with scales that perform a protective function.

The name of the lizard is due to a thin dermal membrane around the neck, which is interrupted at the back of the head and dismembered under the throat, resembling a collar or cloak. This toad is covered with flat scales, slightly thickens to the edges and is supported by two long cartilaginous outgrowths of the hyoid bone. With the tension of the muscles supporting the outgrowths, the cloak can rise and fall when these muscles relax. In a calm state, the collar of the lizards is noticeable.

The cloak of males is brightly colored, as in addition to frightening off the enemies, it also serves to attract females during the mating season. With the help of a collar, the animal can regulate body temperature: in the morning, a protruding raincoat catches the sun's rays, at elevated temperatures it promotes cooling.

A placenta lizard lives on trees, but in search of food can descend to the ground. Various invertebrates and small reptiles, and less often small mammals serve as the prey.

A placental lizard is vulnerable to enemies (birds of prey, snakes, cats) in open terrain. Therefore, she developed her own special protection mechanism. When meeting with the enemy, she freezes, hoping that she will go unnoticed. If they still saw it, it sharply spreads the collar and makes hissing sounds. The more the lizard opens its mouth, the more the collar unfolds, which in adult males can reach a diameter of 20 cm. As a rule, the enemy recedes from surprise. To strengthen the effect, the lizard flaunts its teeth, rises to its hind legs and twists its tail. If all intimidations do not have an effect, she flies or attacks the enemy. When attacking, it can painfully bite, strike tangible blows with a tail covered with barbed scales. Running away, the plucked lizard moves only on its hind legs, using the tail to maintain balance.

During breeding, the male, nodding his head in a certain way, invites the female to mate. During the sexual act the male keeps the female with teeth. Later, the female, making a hole in the wet sand, will lay in it 8-14 eggs. The offspring will hatch approximately 10 weeks later.

There are lovers who keep lizards at home. In the terrarium must be snags and a drinking bowl with clean water, which you need to put a stone, so you can get out of the bowl. The ultraviolet lamp is required. The temperature should be maintained at 30 ° C and periodically spray the terrarium, at least once a day.

Food for lizards can be bought at pet stores. You can also feed the pet with live insects, small mammals, bird eggs. The domestic lizard will not give up the cooked mixture consisting of meat, grated carrot and chopped lettuce in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. To this mixture it is desirable to add vitamins and calcium.