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Alexander Dudley | all galleries >> Aussie reptiles >> Aussie Lizards >> Dragon Lizards, Family Agamidae > Tata Lizard, Lophognathus gilberti
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03-AUG-2003 Alexander Dudley

Tata Lizard, Lophognathus gilberti

Ubirr, Kakadu, Northern Territory, Australia

Named after Leichardt's companion, Gilbert who got speared (probably as a consequence of breaking traditional law), the Tata lizard
is also named because of its rather charming habit of waving its forearm about in a circular motion just before running off.
This behaviour is not only used by females flirting with males (and testing their reproductive fitness in the breeding season)
but may well be used as a means of drawing the eye to the spot where the lizard was, rather than where it actually is.

Nikon Coolpix 5700
1/381s f/7.4 at 61.5mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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