Laudakia tuberculata (Gray, 1827)

Head Shape

The head of Laudakia tuberculata is much depressed, and the snout is longer than the diameter of the orbit.

Nostril Position

The nostril is positioned laterally, below the canthus rostralis, and is slightly tubular.

Upper Head Scales

Scales on the upper surface of the head are smooth or feebly keeled; the occipital scale is not enlarged.

Lateral Head Spinose Scales

Small, closely packed spinose scales are present on the sides of the head near the ear and neck.

Ear Structure

The ear is entirely exposed, and is larger than the eye opening.

Throat Morphology

The throat is strongly plicate, and no gular pouch is present.

Body Shape

The body is depressed, with a more or less distinct fold along each side of the back.

Neck and Side Scales

Scales on the neck and sides are minute, almost granular, keeled, and either uniform or mixed with scattered enlarged scales.

Vertebral Region Scales

Scales in the vertebral region are enlarged, equal, rhomboidal, imbricate, and strongly keeled.

Nuchal Denticulation

There is only a very slight indication of nuchal denticulation.

Ventral Scales

Ventral scales are smooth, and nearly as large as the enlarged dorsal scales.

Limb Structure

The limbs are strong, with compressed digits.

Limb Upper Scales

Scales on the upper surface of the limbs are much enlarged and very strongly keeled.

Finger Length Ratio

The third and fourth fingers are equal in length, or the fourth is very slightly longer.

Toe Length Ratio

The fourth toe is slightly longer than the third toe, and the fifth toe extends beyond the first toe.

Tail Structure

The tail is rounded, much depressed at the base, and covered with moderate-sized strongly keeled scales arranged in rings.

Tail Length

Its length is 2.5 to 3 times the distance from the gular fold to the vent.

Male Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Males have a large patch of thickened preanal scales, plus a patch of similar thickened scales on the middle of the belly.

General Dorsal Coloration

The dorsal coloration is olive-brown, with blackish spots or speckles, and sometimes has small yellowish spots.

Breeding Male Coloration

Breeding males have a blue throat with light spots, and a light vertebral band is sometimes present.

Habitat and Elevation Range

Laudakia tuberculata inhabits rocky mountain areas at elevations of 790 to 3,660 m (2,590 to 12,010 ft) above sea level.