Acanthocercus atricollis (Smith, 1849)

Size and Sexual Dimorphism

For Acanthocercus atricollis (Smith, 1849), males and females have comparable snout-to-vent length (SVL) and similar tail lengths. Mature males have slightly larger heads than females, a trait considered an adaptation for intraspecific territory competition.

Sexual Maturity Thresholds

Females reach sexual maturity at an SVL of about 96 mm (3.8 in), while males reach sexual maturity at an SVL starting from about 82 mm (3.2 in).

Geographic Distribution

This species is found in Eritrea, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, D.R.C., Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Eswatini.

Reproductive Seasonality

Its reproduction is seasonal. Male testicular volume reaches its maximum between August and September, during the austral spring, and female follicles become enlarged between August and December.

Clutch Characteristics

Females lay one clutch per year, with an average of around 11 eggs per clutch, and larger females produce larger clutches than smaller females.