Acanthosaura

Nackenstachler ( Acanthosaura sp.)

The Nackenstachler ( Acanthosaura ) are a genus of the Agamidae. They are distinguished mainly by their spines in the neck and back area, as well as over the eyes. Of the four previously described species of the Green Nackenstachler ( Acanthosaura capra ) and the Maskennackenstachler are ( Acanthosaura crucigera ) the best known.

Dissemination

The Nackenstachler are native to Southeast Asia, including in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. There they live in forests with dense vegetation. Your love for flowing waters they owe to their nickname of " Little Water Dragons ".

Appearance

All four species are about medium height and have a lively cryptic to which comes to particular advantage when the animals feel stress or in the morning if they want to soak up heat. The characteristic spikes in the neck area can also be found in all species.

Species

  • Acanthosaura armata Gray, 1827
  • Green Nackenstachler ( Acanthosaura capra ) Günther, 1861
  • Maskennackenstachler ( Acanthosaura crucigera ) Boulenger, 1885
  • Acanthosaura lepidogaster Cuvier, 1829
  • Acanthosaura nataliae, Orlov, Truong & Sang 2006

Way of life

Compared to other Southeast Asian Baumagamenarten, such as the beautiful lizard ( Calotes ), the Nackenstachler are extremely shy. Most of them flee into the dense undergrowth when they are discovered, or at least turn on the viewer side facing away from the tree on which they sit. However, if they caught or see no way to escape, so they inflate as Drohgeste on their throat pouch. Bites are to be expected only very rarely from the peaceful animals. Captive animals soon become used to humans. They even make so much confidence that you can feed them from your hand.

Nackenstachler have a very varied diet, they not only eat insects such as crickets or beetle larvae, but also spiders, earthworms, small fish and amphibians. The well-camouflaged stick insects, which are located in the same area of ​​distribution are not spared as they have been betrayed by an awkward movement.

Squamata Ernst Ahl
26581
de