The Ground Agama (Agama aculeata)
The Ground Agama is a species of lizard from the Agamidae family, found in most of sub-Saharan Africa.
Breeding males become blue on the sides of the head. So guess what, this little lad is breeding…
Agamas are active during the day and are often found scampering around to snatch up their favourite foods. They can tolerate greater temperatures than most reptiles, but in the afternoon when temperatures reach around 38°C (100°F) they will settle into the shade and wait for it to cool. Frequent fighting breaks out between males; such fighting involves a lot of bobbing and weaving in an attempt to scare the opponent. If it comes to blows, they lash out with their tails and threaten each other with open jaws.
If caught out in the open, agamas are able to run quickly on their hind legs to reach shelter. This little guy was in front of the camera.. and I looked to change a setting and when I looked back he was nowhere to be seen…
The next photo… he was gone… never to be seen again…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
that little mating lad is gorgeous, love those colors, what a catch this was, so beautiful and such clear shots, interesting eyes. planet bulldog is always a treat.
Thank you.. glad you enjoyed and find it all interesting..
Are we to be tested on all the amazing creatures you’ve shown us?
They are beautiful and appreciated.We never would see them in our own realities.
The test will be given 50 years from now.. probably the length of time it’s taken me to learn about all these birds, animals and other creatures.. so hang around and start revision if you plan to follow me that long… I do plan to post it posthumously..
Isn’t he cute? I would love to see one scampering around on it’s back legs….nature is so full of miracles and wonder….Thanks for sharing this little wonder with us 🙂
I was so sorry I tried to change camera setting as I now missed it’s escape… might just have caught that on camera…
We all have those ” drat” moments, don’t we? What you did capture is amazing an a treat for us….so we’re really happy with what you did shoot!
His blue “cheeks” are just so unexpected. I love this guy! 🙂
A sign of his impending nuptials…
Such cool colors!!!
thanks..
I love the colour around its head and neck.
Thank you.. a lovely coloured lizard .. so well camouflaged…
Stunning aquamarine colour! Love the burnt orange too. Quite the eye movement, looks like they can se in more than one direction at once.
They are quite fascinating lizards.. not only colour and speed but their ability to blend into their surrounds…
What a fabulous looking creature! I love the rich array of wildlife you have in your part of the world Bulldog.
Thanks LuAnn.. sometimes we forget how lucky and privileged we are…
It’s amazing to see the colours of creatures. That blue/green head is spectacular!
Thanks Dianne…
It just ocurred to me, how cool would it be if breeding male humans got blue heads!
Well I’m not so sure… can you imagine opening the front door to your daughters date and here stands a young lad you haven’t met before who’s head is blue… it makes the question of “what are your intentions with my daughter??” almost obsolete… the chances are there will be an awful lot of youngsters being attacked by fathers before they go out on a date…
haha I know!
A little more peaceful looking friend than the other beast. Love his blue cheeks. Great shots again.
Thanks Viveka… a sexy little fellow…
I like the striking green-blue of its head.
Thanks Alex we get one with a prominent blue head, which I must blog about sometime…
Le foto sono bellissime e come sempre accompagnate da tanti particolari che non sempre si conoscono. Grazie !!
Ciao, Pat
Thanks Pat… glad I can teach you something…
How beautiful those blue shades are! Lovely post Bulldog – as always! 🙂
Thanks Ruth
So he turns blue when he wants to get blue eh? 😉
The design on his back almost looks like brickwork, strange.
Certainly shows off his intentions…
Wow! I’m sure glad that doesn’t happen to people. Imagine the people who would be walking around with blue ears!
Oh that has given me a laugh… how would any youngster go courting .. his intentions would be known at the front door…lol
I almost thought I should ask you to delete my comment, but if it’s given you a chuckle, then okay…;-)
So I guess they’re pretty fast, too.
That is an understatement…
Maybe he saw a female nearby. ;-D!
Russ
If there was I never saw it… but they are so quick I wouldn’t be the least surprised…