Calotes versicolor (Daudin, 1802)

Diet Classification

Calotes versicolor is an insectivorous lizard.

Breeding Male Coloration

Breeding-season males develop a bright red throat; during this season (May to early October), a male's head and shoulders also turn bright orange to crimson, with the throat turning black, and males will also turn red-headed after winning a battle against rival males.

Crest Feature

Both sexes have a crest running from the head nearly to the tail, giving the species another common name: crested tree lizard.

Size Measurements

This lizard measures over 10 cm (3.9 in) in snout-to-vent length, with a total length including the tail of up to 37 cm (14.5 in); Sri Lankan specimens are generally somewhat larger, with one recorded individual reaching 16 inches in total length, 11 inches of which was tail.

Tympanum Spines

Two small, fully separated groups of spines sit above each tympanum.

Dorsal Crest Structure

The dorsal crest is moderately elevated on the neck and anterior trunk, extending to the tail root in large individuals, and gradually disappears on the middle of the trunk in younger individuals.

Scales and Gular Features

There is no fold in front of the shoulder, but the scales behind the lower jaw are much smaller than other scales, and a gular sac is not developed.

Trunk Scale Count

There are 39 to 43 scale series around the middle of the trunk.

Hind Foot Proportion

In adults, the hind foot (measured from the heel to the tip of the fourth toe) is not much longer than the head, while it is considerably longer in young individuals.

Base Color Variation

Coloration is very variable; it is sometimes uniform brownish, greyish-olive, or yellowish.

Dorsal and Lateral Markings

Broad brown bands generally cross the back, interrupted by a yellowish lateral band.

Eye and Throat Markings

Black streaks radiate from the eye, and some of these streaks continue over the throat, running obliquely backward.

Belly Markings

The belly frequently has greyish longitudinal stripes, with one along the median line being the most distinct.

Juvenile Inter-Orbital Marking

Young and half-grown specimens have a dark, black-edged band across the inter-orbital region.

Voluntary Color Change Ability

The base ground color is generally light brownish olive, but this lizard can change its color to bright red, black, or a mixture of the two.

Color Change Extent

This color change is sometimes limited to the head, and at other times spreads across the whole body and tail.

Breeding Season Color Specificity

Jerdon and Blyth confirm these bright, changeable colors are unique to males during the breeding season.

Historical Color Variation Observations

Albert Guenther noted that Alexandre Henri Mouhot collected a fine color variation in Siam, and that the species' color variations appear to be infinite.

General Range Overview

Calotes versicolor ranges from continental India to China, is very common in Sri Lanka, and does not extend into the temperate zone of the Himalayas.

Primary Habitat

It inhabits hedges and trees.

Sri Lankan Common Name

In Sri Lanka it is commonly called "Bloodsucker"; Kelaart suggests this name comes from the occasional reddish hue of its throat and neck.

Bengali Common Name

It is also called "Roktochosha" in the Bengali language, which also translates to "bloodsucker".

Egg Laying Behavior

Females lay 5 to 16 soft oval eggs, about 5/8 of an inch long, in tree hollows or burrowed soil holes, then cover the eggs.

Hatch Time

Young lizards hatch after about 8 or 9 weeks.

Basking Behavior

On hot sunny days, a solitary individual may be seen basking in the sun on a twig or wall with its mouth wide open.

Post-Rain Feeding Behavior

After rain showers, many individuals come down to the ground to feed on larvae and small insects that fell from trees during the rain.

Predator Escape Behavior

When escaping danger, changeable lizards dart to the nearest tree. If a predator follows closer, they move to the side of the tree facing away from the predator and swiftly dart up the tree, so the predator only finds the lizard has already reached the upper branches.

Tail Autotomy

Unlike some other lizard species, Calotes versicolor does not perform tail autotomy (does not drop its tail).

Tail Characteristics

Its tail can be very long, stiff, and pointed.

Shedding Behavior

Like other reptiles, it sheds its skin.

Eye Movement Ability

Like chameleons, changeable lizards can move each eye independently in different directions.

Native Distribution

The native distribution of Calotes versicolor includes southeastern Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India (including the Andaman Islands), Indonesia (Sumatra), western Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius (Reunion, Rodrigues), Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Thailand, and Vietnam (including Pulo Condore Island).

Introduced Range

It has been introduced to Brunei, Celebes, Oman, the Seychelles, Singapore, and the United States.

Singapore Introduction Impact

It was introduced to Singapore from Malaysia and Thailand in the 1980s, where it is a threat to the native green-crested lizard.

Habitat Adaptability

The changeable lizard is relatively common and found in a wide range of habitats. It adapts well to areas dominated by humans, so it is not considered endangered.

Common Habitats

It is commonly found in undergrowth, open habitats, and highly urban areas.

Human Threat in China

However, people in China regularly kill this lizard, as it is viewed as a pest.

Breeding Male Territoriality

During breeding season, males become highly territorial. They deter intruding males by brightening their red heads and performing "push-ups".

Male Courtship Behavior

Males attract females by inflating their throat and drawing attention to their brightly colored head.

Reproductive Mode

This species is oviparous.

Clutch Characteristics

A clutch typically contains 10 to 20 eggs, which are buried in moist soil. The eggs are long, spindle-shaped, and covered with a leathery outer covering.

Incubation Period

They hatch after about 6 to 7 weeks.

Sexual Maturity Age

Individuals become able to breed at around 1 year old.