REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: AGAMIDAE: Ctenophorus

Ctenophorus pictus (Peters, 1866)

Painted dragon

Photo & text by Dr. Robert George Sprackland. Illustrated is a male in full breeding coloration. Photographed at Yathong Nature Preserve, New South Wales, Australia.

Range: Inland southern Australia in arid and desert habitats.

Diagnosis:

Description:  A small (7 cm/2.8 inches SVL), long-tailed lizard with a large head. Preanal and femoral pores present, much more pronounced in males. Hindlimbs very long, slightly longer than length of body. Tail round in section.

Natural History:  These tiny dragons are fiercely territorial. Males will display and chase other males from their territories. They prefer open sand areas where they have a good field of vision. Mating takes place in October and November, and egg laying follows shortly thereafter. Painted dragons are true annual lizards, with a life span of just one year. Their diet consists of small insects, including ants and flies.

Reproduction: Egg layers.

Taxonomy & Relationships: Ctenophorus comes from the Greek words meaning "comb bearing," in reference to the comb-like "eyelash" scales, while pictus is Latin for "painted.". 

Variation: Males are much more brightly colored than females or young, having a green to blue-gray dorsum and a light head. Females and young are generally brown and tan with black vertebral markings.

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen:

Literature:  Click on book to order a copy

Cogger, Harold. 1995. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. 5th edition. Ralph Curtis Books. ISBN: 0-8014-2739-8.

Ehmann, Harald. 1992. Encyclopedia of Australian animals: Reptiles. Angus & Robertson. ISBN: 0-207-17379-6.

Greer, Allen. 1989. The biology & evolution of Australian lizards. Surrey Beatty & Sons. ISBN: 0-949324-21-3.

Hoser, Raymond. 1989. Australian reptiles & frogs. Pierson & Co. ISBN: 0-947068-08-2.