All Species Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama
220px-MC Siedleragame
General information
Universe Real Life
Aliases Spider-Man Agama
Classification Agama mwanzae
Species type Dragon Lizard
Homeworld Earth
Environment Semideserts
Intelligence Non-sapient
Biochemistry Carbon-based lifeform
Discovered 1923
Discoverer Arthur Loveridge
Biological information
Reproduction Sexual; lays eggs
Average length Up to 1'
Locomotion Quadrupedal
Prey Insectivorous (pets will eat locusts, crickets, mealworms, waxworms)
Distinctive features Vibrant coloration in males
Lineage information
Cultural information
Alignment True Neutral
Sociocultral characteristics
Scientific taxonomy
Planet Earth
Domain Eukaryota
Kingdom Animalia
Subkingdom Eumetazoa
Infrakingdom Bilateria
Superphylum Deuterostomia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Infraphylum Gnathostomata
Superclass Tetrapoda
Class Reptilia
Subclass Neodiapsida
Infraclass Lepidosauromorpha
(Reptiles more closely related to lizards than crocodilians)
Superorder Lepidosauria (Scaled reptiles)
Order Squamata (Squamates -- lizards, snakes, & amphisbaenians)
Suborder Lacertilia (Lizards)
Infraorder Iguania (Iguanomorphs)
Family Agamidae (Dragon Lizards)
Genus Agama
Species mwanzae
Other information
Status Least Concern
First sighting 1923

Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agamas (Agama mwanzae), also known as the Spider-Man Agama, is a species of dragon lizard found in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. It is similar in appearance to the related Red-headed Rock Agama.

Inhabiting semi-arid desert, these rock agamas often spend their day basking on rock outcroppings and larger kopjes. They display sexually dimorphic coloration, with females being a simply brown color and males being vastly more vibrant — their head, neck, and shoulders are bright red or violet and the body is dark blue. Interestingly however, males will quickly change color back to brown after nightfall or if frightened, likely to make them less conspicuous to predators.

As a whole, Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agamas can scale vertical surfaces and even run on their hind legs if necessary.

Males are highly territorial and polygamous, having around five breeding partners. Once a male has successfully won over a new female, he will perform exotic head bobs and swings in order to court her.

Agama mwanzae female

A female of the species.

Advertisement