Calotes jerdoni

{{Speciesbox

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| image = Calotes_jerdoni.jpg

| genus = Calotes

| species = jerdoni

| authority = Günther, 1870{{EMBL species|genus=Calotes|species=jerdoni}} www.reptile-database.org

}}

Calotes jerdoni, commonly known as the Indo-Chinese forest lizard or Jerdon's forest lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to China and South Asia.

Etymology

The specific name, jerdoni, is in honor of British biologist Thomas C. Jerdon.Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (Calotes jerdoni, p. 134) Common names include green forest lizard, green garden lizard, Indochinese forest lizard and Jerdon's forest lizard.

Description/Identification

File:Calotes jerdoni P1130608 07.jpg

Physical structure: A compressed-bodied lizard. This species resembles Calotes maria in pholidotic (scale) and other characters except that it has 45-57 scales round the body; gular scales much larger than the ventral scales; there is an oblique curved fold covered with small granular scales in front of the shoulders; nuchal crest less prominent; the hind-limb reaches to the eye or not quite so far.{{cite web|url=http://faunaofindia.nic.in/PDFVolumes/hpg/007/index.pdf|format=PDF|title=Indian Lizards Handbook|author1=TIKADER, B.K.|author1-link=species:Benoy Krishna Tikader|author2=SHARMA, R.C.|author2-link=species:Ramesh Chandra Sharma|website=Faunaofindia.nic.in|access-date=17 March 2022}} Dorsal and lateral scales directed upward.

Color pattern: Deep-green dorsal coloration with yellow, orange or brown spots, but in many cases can make the body into a dark brown within a few seconds.

Length: Maximum total length (including tail): {{convert|38.5|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Common total length: {{convert|32|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Common snout-to-vent length (SVL) : {{convert|9|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

Distribution and habitat

Bangladesh, Bhutan, China (W Yunnan, Xizang = Tibet), India (Khasi Hills in Assam & Shillong) and Myanmar.

Terrestrial & arboreal; diurnal; found in many types of forested land. Prefers dense and bushy hill forest.{{Cite web |url=http://sikkim.nic.in/sikkimroot/html/reptiles.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921080440/http://sikkim.nic.in/sikkimroot/html/reptiles.pdf |archive-date=2018-09-21 |url-status=dead }} A skillful and an adept climber, it moves over trees and bushes rather swiftly. It is active during the day time.

Diet

Insectivorous; feeds largely on insects but at times bird-eggs, nestlings, and frogs too are eaten up.

Reproduction

Oviparous; breeding season begins around April when males develop bright coloration in the forebody and begin to chase females. Female digs a small hollow in soft earth and lays 11-23 eggs in it for incubation and safety.

Threat to humans

Non-venomous and completely harmless to humans.