Chelosania | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Iguania |
Family: | Agamidae |
Genus: | Chelosania Gray, 1845 |
Species: | C. brunnea
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Binomial name | |
Chelosania brunnea Gray, 1845
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Chelosania is a genus of agamid lizards that contains a single species, Chelosania brunnea.[2] These are commonly known as the chameleon dragon.[1][2][3][4] They live in the northern parts of West Australia, the Northern Territory, and northwestern Queensland.[1][3]
Chelosania has short limbs with a laterally compressed body, and small eye apertures and large ear openings.[5] They have an average snout to vent length of 11.8 cm,[4] and average total length of 30 cm.[3]
Chelosania is usually seen on the ground or in low level vegetation, and is slow moving.[3] Females lay eggs in burrows between July and August, with up to 8 eggs recorded. Chelosania eats ants, and has been recorded eating green ants.[5]
Genetic analysis shows that Chelosania, along with the thorny devil, is a significantly older species than more recent desert agamids.[5]