Hump-nosed Lizard

Lyriocephalus scutatus

''Lyriocephalus scutatus'' is a species of lizard within the agamid family, the only species in the genus ''Lyriocephalus''. It is the largest agamid endemic to Sri Lanka and lives in dense wet zone forests. It is also called the Hump-nosed Lizard, Hump Snout Lizard or the Lyreshead Lizard. In Sinhalese language, it is known as "Kandukara Bodilima - කදුකර බෝදිලිමා."
Hump-Nosed Lizard - Lyriochephalus scutatus Lyriocephalus scutatus is a species of lizard within the agamid family, the only species in the genus Lyriocephalus. It is the largest agamid endemic to Sri Lanka and lives in dense wet zone forests. It is also called the Hump-nosed Lizard, Hump Snout Lizard or the Lyreshead Lizard. In Sinhalese language, it is known as "Kandukara Bodilima." Geotagged,Hump-Nosed Lizard,Lizard,Lyriocephalus,Lyriocephalus scutatus,Singharaja,Sri Lanka,Winter

Appearance

Body is laterally compressed. Pair of small spines present at back of the head. Dorso-nuchal crest developed. Forehead scales keeled. A distinct bony arch appear on the head of adults. Tympanum absent. A V-shaped gular sac present. Large, keeled gular scales can be seen. Tail is short and compressed with a blunt tip.
Dorsum is light green. Throat yellow. Rest of the venter is cream colored.
Serving Dinner to Mosquitoes! This Hump-Nosed Lizard was dinner for 2 mosquitoes! Geotagged,Hump-Nosed Lizard,Lizard,Lyriocephalus,Lyriocephalus scutatus,Singharaja,Sri Lanka,Winter

Distribution

A large agamid lizard, widespread in the wet lowlands and the midhills, from 25m up to elevation of 1650m. A number of localities are known, such as Ratnapura, Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Gannoruwa, Gammaduwa, Hanthana, Mathugama, Knuckles Mountain Range, Adam's Peak, Gampola, Kandy and Sinharaja Rain Forest.
Lyre-headed Lizard, Kottawa, Sri Lanka Found hanging on this tree, ID was confirmed by resident herpetologist who was trekking with us.  Hump-nosed Lizard,Lizard,Lizards,Lyriocephalus scutatus,Sri Lanka,animal,animals

Habitat

A large agamid lizard, widespread in the wet lowlands and the midhills, from 25m up to elevation of 1650m. A number of localities are known, such as Ratnapura, Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Gannoruwa, Gammaduwa, Hanthana, Mathugama, Knuckles Mountain Range, Adam's Peak, Gampola, Kandy and Sinharaja Rain Forest.Inhabited in forests with high canopy, it also enters home gardens, and is found on low trees as well as on the ground. Active at day, it ascending higher reaches of trees to sleep at night.
The typical threat posture is open-mouth gape, revealing the bright red lining of the oral cavity. This species is also known to feign death when picked up.
Diet comprises essentially of earthworms and also arthropods, including termites, butterflies, and moths. Young shoots and buds are also known to feed.
Check-out my Dewlap This was the second Hump-Nosed Lizard - Lyriochephalus scutatus I saw at Singharaja Rainforest and it was at a low branch that I was able to get close up to.  Not sure if this one was attracted to the guide or me as it was constantly showing its dewlap, which is the loose yellow skin hanging below its neck. Geotagged,Hump-Nosed Lizard,Lizard,Lyriocephalus,Lyriocephalus scutatus,Singharaja,Sri Lanka,Winter

Reproduction

About 1-11 eggs with measuring 12-13 * 20-22mm per clutch are produced in the months of January, March, May, June, September, October, and December. Eggs are buried after laid in the soil, sometimes under bushes. Incubation period lasts 35 days.

Food

Inhabited in forests with high canopy, it also enters home gardens, and is found on low trees as well as on the ground. Active at day, it ascending higher reaches of trees to sleep at night.
The typical threat posture is open-mouth gape, revealing the bright red lining of the oral cavity. This species is also known to feign death when picked up.
Diet comprises essentially of earthworms and also arthropods, including termites, butterflies, and moths. Young shoots and buds are also known to feed.

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

Status: Near threatened
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyAgamidae
GenusLyriocephalus
SpeciesL. scutatus
Photographed in
Sri Lanka