Spineless Forest Lizard

The spineless forest lizard, also called the crestless lizard or lionhead agama, is endemic to Sri Lanka. It grows to 91 mm snout to vent and 33 cm in total length. It has swollen cheeks, and adult males have a tail strongly swollen at the base. Its indistinct pale moss-green, dark green and brown stripes and banded limbs and tail act as camouflage in the treetops. It resembles the common green forest lizard but lacks the spines above the ear (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is highly arboreal, very rarely comes to the ground, and is diurnal. It feeds on insects and other small animals, and some adults also eat plant matter. It lays five to six eggs at a time. Nationally Endangered (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).