Author: Farkas M. Vivien
Collared lizard mating behaviour is particularly striking during the breeding season. At this time, the male collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) establishes and actively defends its own territory, into which it attempts to attract several females. To gain the attention of females, the male performs a series of visual displays, including head-bobbing and push-up movements. These behaviours serve not only as courtship signals but also as a way to communicate dominance and territorial ownership to rival males. The male’s brightly coloured throat further increases its mating success, signalling physical fitness and suitability to potential mates. Collared lizard mating behaviour is therefore closely…
Did you know that Australia is home to approximately 14% of the world’s reptile population?This represents around 869 reptile species, of which approximately 93% are found exclusively in Australia. Species found across the continent include monitor lizards, sea turtles, pythons and crocodiles.
Discover the remarkable parental care of discus fish, from guarding eggs to feeding their fry with nutrient-rich skin mucus.
Did you know that most lizards have exceptionally good colour vision? During the mating season, many species develop breeding colours. Based on the intensity of these colours, females are able to assess the health of a given male, allowing them to choose more easily. Colours also play a decisive role during rivalry between males, often determining which individual is more dominant. However, if two animals in roughly equal condition encounter one another, their assessment may escalate into physical fighting.
Why is the ball python called a ball python? The name “ball python” comes from the fact that when Python regius feels threatened, it curls up into a ball shape—in other words, it curls up.
Did you know that Ptychozoon kuhli is capable of flying? Of course, not in the literal sense of the word. Along the sides of the animal runs a lobed membrane. With the help of this structure, it is able to glide through the air for short periods while travelling from one point to another. It also derives its name from this feature. This ability is not entirely unique in the animal kingdom, as several frog and mammal species also employ this method of locomotion.
Despite their frightening appearance, whip-spiders or tailless whip-scorpions are completely harmless to humans. They owe their name to their characteristic sensory appendages, which most closely resemble a whip. This is an extremely sensitive part of their body, used primarily for orientation, as well as for sensing their environment, their prey, and even for recognising one another.
The red-eyed crocodile skink (Tribolonotus gracilis) native to the rainforests of New Guinea, has become particularly popular among enthusiasts of exotic animals due to its small size and distinctive, “dragon-like”. appearance.
