Wildlifeof Nepal
Oriental Garden Lizard
Agamids & Forest Lizards
Photo: Devika M B · CC-BY
Calotes versicolor
Basic stats
Diet
Insects
Habitat
Hollows in trees or burrowed holes in soil used for eggs
Range
Widespread in Indo-Malaya, including Nepal; introduced in many parts of the world
Clutch size
About 5–20 eggs
Incubation period
About 6–7 weeks
Size
Over 10cm snout to vent; total length up to 37cm
The oriental garden lizard, also called the bloodsucker or changeable lizard, is an agamid found across Indo-Malaya and introduced to many other parts of the world. Adults measure over 10cm from snout to vent and up to 37cm including the tail. Colour is very variable, from uniform brownish, greyish-olive or yellowish to broad brown bands across the back, and black streaks radiate from the eye across the throat (Wikipedia, general species account).
In the breeding season the male develops a bright red throat. Females lay about five to twenty soft oval eggs, buried in moist soil or in tree hollows or holes they have dug, which hatch in about six to seven weeks. Its native range includes Nepal as well as India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. It feeds on insects.
Quick answers
- What does the Oriental Garden Lizard eat?
- Insects
- What habitat does the Oriental Garden Lizard live in?
- Hollows in trees or burrowed holes in soil used for eggs
- Where is the Oriental Garden Lizard found?
- Widespread in Indo-Malaya, including Nepal; introduced in many parts of the world
- How many eggs does the Oriental Garden Lizard lay?
- About 5–20 eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Oriental Garden Lizard incubated?
- About 6–7 weeks
- How big is the Oriental Garden Lizard?
- Over 10cm snout to vent; total length up to 37cm