Indian spiny-tailed lizard, Rajasthan

From the archive record

Indian spiny-tailed lizard is a species of agamid lizard. These lizards are mainly herbivorous are live in numbers in some areas. These lizards are found in loose clusters and attract raptors and predators. The Spiny-tailed lizard has a rounded head with a flat snout. It is usually yellowish brown, sandy or olive in colour. It has distinctive tail whorls of spiny scales with large spines on the side which give the lizard its name. They are limbed lizards with broad heads and stout bodies, and most adults grow up to about 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches) in length. Their stout tail is armed with numerous protective spines that discourage most predators. Some spiny-tailed lizards defend themselves by partly entering their burrows and then violently lashing their exposed tails from side to side