Viv Wilson
recently sent me some photos of a Starred Agama from near Tabuk that were
identified to species by Mansur Al Fahad. I would like to thank both Viv and
Mansur for the identification and use of the photos respectively. The starred Agama
Laudakia stellio, also known as
Rough-tailed Agama, is a large with a flattened, spiny body, a wide, triangular
head, long legs and a long tail. The neck is particularly spiny, and rows of
spines run across the body, flanks and tail. They are generally light or dark
brown to grey or charcoal-coloured with a series of yellowish, diamond-shaped
markings along the back. However, the Starred Agama is quite variable in
appearance across its range and has a length of up to 30 centimetres. Like many
other members of the Agamidae family, the starred agama is capable of quite
rapid colour changes, with individuals typically becoming lighter when warm and
darker when cold. They are usually active during the day and often hides in
holes and crevices. The starred agama ranges from Greece and Cyprus in
south-eastern Europe, through Turkey, Syria and Iraq, and into the Middle East,
northern Saudi Arabia and northern Egypt. It is found in a variety of arid and
semi-arid habitats, including rocky hillsides, scrubland, grassland, and
cultivated areas.
