Sitana ponticeriana
—
Pondichéry Fan-throated Lizard
The populations in this part of Sri Lanka were assigned to a new species, Sitana bahiri, for a few years, before being sent back to S. ponticeriana from whence they came.
These small lizards are active on the warm sands, dashing to and fro in search of tasty bugs. Adult males can extend a remarkably large and brightly colored flap of skin on their throats (a dewlap) to attract females and intimidate other males, much like the Anolis lizards of the New World. The second and third pictures above are of an adult male with a large blue dewlap, but unfortunately for me he never felt the need to extend it in my presence. He also has a nasty wound behind his right eye. It looks like he escaped from some past death-grip.
Online references:
- Sitana ponticeriana account on The Reptile Database
- Sitana ponticeriana account on iNaturalist
Printed references:
- Somaweera, R., Somaweera, N. 2009. Lizards of Sri Lanka: A Colour Guide with Field Keys
- de Silva, A., Ukuwela, K. 2017. A Naturalist's Guide to the Reptiles of Sri Lanka