We hope that each of you, our readers, will greatly enjoy and appreciate this article we present about these 4 Remarkably Evolved Reptiles. It was certainly our pleasure to gather the information for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.
Certainly, these species listed here represent only a few of the amazing reptilian species found around the world. It’s our belief, though, that they serve as excellent representations of the wonders found on earth. Check out some of our other articles for similar marvels.
Rough-nosed Horned-lizard
Rough-nosed Horned-lizard Facts
- Leading off this article about these 4 Remarkably Evolved Reptiles we present the isolated marvel appropriately named the Rough-nosed Horned-lizard.
- Understandably, this intriguing reptile, with its distinctive appearance, most frequently goes by the common name that we use herein. However, like many species throughout the world, the remarkable animal also holds another general name.
- In this case, that’s the more informative term of the Sri Lanka horned agama. Scientific professionals, such as researchers, though, tend to use the formal scientific name when referring to it. But that’s the relatively simple name of the Ceratophora aspera.
- It received this designation due to the work of a respected researcher. The German-born British zoologist, Albert Charles Lewis Gotthilf Günther holds that distinction. That’s because he accomplished the first recognition of it as a distinct species in 1864.
- Regardless of which term one chooses to employ, however, it’s a fascinating product of evolution. Its unique physical attributes also set it apart from all other known members of its genus. This only serves to enhance its particular appeal to researchers, though.
- Unfortunately, the Rough-nosed Horned-Lizard also seems to be dwindling rapidly in population. This regrettable trend further appears to hold true throughout the entirety of its range. The IUCN, therefore, currently lists the astounding lizard as Endangered.
- Several factors now threaten it. Habitat loss due to human activities ranks high among those, to be certain. Its greatest threat, however, now comes from climate change. Its own limited habitat range further serves to greatly augment the effects of each of these.
Rough-nosed Horned-Lizard Physical Description
Perhaps most incredibly, the Rough-nosed Horned-Lizard manages to pack all its intriguing characteristics into a very small body. That’s not completely surprising, though. That’s because Nature holds no distinction regarding such factors as size and impressiveness.
The creature does, however, stand out from the other members of its genus in one way. That’s where sheer physical size is concerned. That holds true due to the amazing fact that the animal displays a moderate degree of the physiological trait of sexual dimorphism.
More specifically, it manifests this aspect of its nature in the fact that females attain a slightly greater overall length than their male counterparts. This gender, though, only reaches lengths of about 1.6 in (4 cm). Yet the males remain moderately smaller in size.
This diminutive reptile also displays a striking pattern of coloring. This principally consists of a background of either dark yellow or light brown. A total of 17 darker bands, however, extend from head to tail. The space between these shows a much lighter shade.
Its body further develops with a slightly compressed shape. Each individual also possesses a unique, x-shape dorsal ridge, located directly behind the head. The creature further develops a very small crest, typically appearing along the region of the neck of the species.
The most noticeable trait of the Rough-nosed Horned-Lizard, though, remains the appendage to the nose. This marvel of nature distinguishes itself from related species yet again in this. That’s due to the fact the rostrum comprises up to 24% of the total length!
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Agamidae
- Genus: Ceratophora
- Species: C. aspera
Rough-nosed Horned-Lizard Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The astonishing Rough-nosed Horned-Lizard has one natural attribute that unfortunately works against it. That’s the fact that it evolved as endemic to an extremely limited habitat range. Evidence further indicates that it never existed outside that specific region.
This holds true because it only appears in a tiny part of the region consisting of southern Asia. In point of fact, the unique lizard lives only on one specific island. That’s the island comprising the nation of Sri Lanka, a site holding many other natural wonders.
Yet even there, its habitat preferences further limit its zone of habitation. Due to those preferences, the reptile only dwells in areas of high moisture, with copious vegetation. This most frequently consists of forested regions, the greater the density the better.
It also demonstrates even more levels of choice. The regions in which it chooses to make its home also tend to be predominantly comprised of local hardwood tree species. The majority of individuals further prefer to live at altitudes of no more than 2,953 ft (900 m).
Although the Rough-nosed Horned-Lizard dwells amid so many trees, it’s not an arboreal species. Rather, the animal makes its home amid the copious quantities of leaf litter on the ground. It also tends to live in mated pairs, at least once it reaches adulthood.
This marvel of Nature also feeds indiscriminately, consuming a wide range of local prey. This includes various insects and other small invertebrates. Following mating, the female lays her eggs in a well-concealed nest. Typically, a clutch consists of two eggs for this species.
Jackson’s Chameleon
Jackson’s Chameleon Facts
- Next up among our choices for inclusion in this compendium of 4 Remarkably Evolved Reptiles comes the intriguing Jackson’s Chameleon.
- The term for the animal serves as just one of the common names for a particularly distinctive species of reptile. In fact, this remarkable creature actually remains known by quite a wide variety of common names. Some may surprise you.
- Some of these include such colorful names as the horned chameleon, Jackson’s Horned Chameleon, and even the Kikuyu three-horned chameleon. Its scientific name, however, remains that of the somewhat hard to pronounce Trioceros jacksonii.
- By either of these many names, though, it represents a truly fascinating animal. The renowned Belgian-British zoologist George Albert Boulenger made the first official recognition of it as a separate species. This acknowledgement occurred in the year 1896.
- Quite fortunately, for the moment, at least, its population appears to be remaining both stable and sufficient. This further holds true throughout the entirety of its range. As a result, the IUCN currently lists it as Least Concern on its Red List.
- The marvelous Jackson’s Chameleon nonetheless faces some potential threats to its existence as a species. One of these involves the presence of invasive species in its native range. Its greatest global threat, though, no doubt consists of climate change.
Jackson’s Chameleon Physical Description
It bears noting that, while the fascinating Jackson’s Chameleon truly impresses one, it does not do so due to sheer size. Somewhat surprisingly to some, this specific reptile only ranks as a roughly average-sized species among its many relatives in its Order.
It does, however, amaze the viewer in other ways. For one, the animal displays the physiological trait of sexual dimorphism in not one, but two separate ways. Although not unknown, this degree of gender-based differentiation remains uncommon.
In terms of overall size, the males of the species attain a respectably greater size than their female counterparts. He reaches an average head-to-tail length of roughly 15 in (38 cm). She, meanwhile, only grows to an average total length measuring roughly 10 in (25 cm).
The second manifestation of the sex-based differences develops in regards to the horns. The male develops three horns, generally brown in color. Females of the creature, on the other hand, possess no horns at all, distinguishing themselves significantly.
In coloring, though, both genders of the fabulous Jackson’s Chameleon develop essentially the same appearance. This remains changeable, however. The principal color usually presents as bright green, with some shades of yellow or blue, though this changes.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Chamaeleonidae
- Genus: Triceros
- Species: T. jacksonii
Jackson’s Chameleon Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Despite the fact that it has now been spread to other parts of the world, the Jackson’s Chameleon evolved as native to only a small are of the globe. More specifically, it develop as endemic to portions of what’s now the countries of Tanzania and Kenya, in Africa.
Now, though, the animal appears in the wild in several other regions. Through the actions of man it now inhabits, in small numbers, portions of the Hawaiin Islands, Florida, in the United States. Unconfirmed reports of sightings in other areas also exist.
Wherever it appears, the distinct reptile has proven itself to be reasonably flexible in terms of specific habitat. In its natural range, it lives at altitudes between 5,250 -8,010 ft (1,600 – 2,440 m). In Hawaii, however, it now appears between 330 – 3,280 ft (100 – 1,000 m).
Within all these places, though, the Jackson’s Chameleon prefers to make its home in regions of local forests and woodlands. It further requires these various areas to have ample amounts of rainfall, and temperate to tropical temperature ranges for its survival.
Just as its many close relatives, it evolved as purely carnivorous in nature. For this, its adaptive camouflage serves it perfectly, It primarily consumes large quantities of various insects, such as isopods, millipedes, spiders, centipedes, snails, and sometimes small lizards.
It further distinguishes itself in one more manner. Most chameleons lay eggs, but not this one. This species gives live birth, typically to between 8 – 30 young. Finally, while most related creatures are highly territorial, this one typically remains much less so.
Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko
Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko Facts
- Appearing in the third spot in this listing of 4 Remarkably Evolved Reptiles, the Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko does so only due to random selection.
- Quite amazingly, the distinctive term applied to the creature serves as one of the common names for a truly unique reptile. Understandably, its truly attention-grabbing name directly derives from its remarkable appearance.
- This incredible living marvel of the resourcefulness of Nature, however, also goes by several other terms. These other terms include such highly unusual names as the eyelash leaf-tailed gecko and the phantastic leaf-tailed gecko.
- Its scientific name, meanwhile, remains that of the comparatively difficult to pronounce Uroplatus phantasticus. But, regardless of what name one chooses to use to refer to it, this unique creature truly stands out from related species.
- The respected Belgian naturalist, George Albert Boulenger became the first person to officially recognize it as a separate species. This recognition occurred in 1888. In addition to its appearance, it’s also one of the smallest members of its genus.
- Fortunately, although its range isn’t large, its population appears to be significant, and stable. This apparently holds true throughout the entirety of it. The IUCN, therefore, currently lists the incredible Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko as Least Concern.
- This fortunate status presently appears on the organization’s Red List of Threatened Species. Nevertheless, the magnificent reptile does face some potential threats to its existence. In this, at least, it remains like a great many other species around the world.
- Firstly, the simple fact that it has a highly limited range makes it especially vulnerable to such factors as habitat loss. Secondly, however, its greatest threat most likely comes from the devastating ongoing effects of climate change.
Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko Physical Description
The amazing Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko does deserve appreciation, to be certain. This evaluation does not, however, occur due to its sheer physical size. That holds true due to the simple fact that this particular species remains a very small form of reptile.
In point of fact, even among other geckos, it ranks as quite diminutive. Truly amazingly, this species attains a size of less than half the average overall length of a gecko. Firstly, an approximately average length for a gecko measures roughly 7 – 8 in (17.8 – 20.3 cm).
Secondly, although by no means the smallest of its kind, this species only grows to about 3.5 in (9 cm) in overall length. Thirdly, this lizard does display a slight degree of the trait of sexual dimorphism. In its case, though, this has nothing to do with size.
Like many geckos, of course, the stunning Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko appears in a quite wide range of colors. More specifically, this great range of colors most commonly includes several shades of brown, with small black dots on the underside.
This reptile nevertheless also develops various patterns of differing hues of orange, tan, yellow, and even purple. The gender-based difference, however, has nothing to do with its patterns of color. This actually appears in regards to the tail of the animal.
That’s the case since this develops highly flattened in nature, like a leaf, thus, the common name. But, this tail also has multiple notches in it, further emulating a leaf. The gender differences present themselves in the fact that males display more notches than females.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Gekkonidae
- Genus: Uroplastus
- Species: U. phantasticus
Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The remarkably mesmerizing Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko evolved as endemic to an area of the world already renowned for its incredible flora and fauna. Quite unfortunately, however, that same region also represents one of its great limiting factors.
In fact, this area constitutes an extremely small and isolated region of the globe. More specifically, this holds true due to the fact that this true marvel of Nature evolved as native solely to the astounding island of Madagascar, near Africa.
Incredibly, even there the animal only inhabits a very specific portion of the island. In point of fact, it only appears in the southern two-thirds of the eastern section of the island. In addition, this region consists almost exclusively of mountainous rainforests.
Nature apparently took all of these factors into consideration, though. The very nature of its environment serves as the reason for the bizarre evolution of its unique tail. This appendage further assists the awesome lizard in blending in with fallen foliage.
The extremely fascinating Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko further spends the great majority of its time practicing patience. This time it spends waiting near the base of the trunks of various trees. But it sometimes climbs them as well, up to a height of about 6 ft (1.83 m).
Here, the natural camouflage evolution devised for it allows the small carnivore to feed on a variety of prey. As a result, its diet consists of a relatively wide variety of local insects. Meanwhile, it in turn mainly falls prey to snakes and birds of prey.
Leaping Lesbian Lizard
Leaping Lesbian Lizard Facts
- Closing out this collection of 4 Remarkably Evolved Reptiles we present the most astounding of them all, the Leaping Lesbian Lizard.
- Somewhat uniquely, the term we use here serves as the popular name for a particular New Mexico Whiptail Lizard. What sets it apart, however, is the fact that it was produced through the inter-breeding of two distinct native species of lizard.
- Amazingly, this astonishing lizard resulted from the mixing of the Little Striped Whiptail and the Western Whiptail. The hybridization of these species produces sterile males, however. But, the resourcefulness of Nature did not stop there.
- That’s because the species achieved parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction. This allows the resulting all-female population to reproduce. The unusual lizard, therefore, actually evolved into a separate species capable of reproduction.
- In fact, this combination of inter-species hybridization and parthenogenesis isn’t unique. It also exists in other species within the animal kingdom. That’s due to the fact that the process exists as a reproductive strategy in other species of whiptail lizard.
- The Leaping Lesbian Lizard also holds yet another distinction. This one, however, has nothing to do with any physical aspect of the creature. That’s because this phenomenal reptile currently represents the official state reptile of the state of New Mexico.
Leaping Lesbian Lizard Physical Description
Perhaps most notably, the amazing Leaping Lesbian Lizard, regardless of other attributes, constitutes a small-to-moderate sized lizard. That occurs due to the fact that the majority of individuals attain a total length measuring between 6.5 – 9.1 in (16.5 – 23 cm).
Quite obviously, sexual dimorphism does not appear in this species, as it does in many related creatures, though. Among most specimens, its natural coloring typically presents as an overall brown or black. However, seven pale yellow stripes also from head to tail.
Numerous light spots also often occur between the head-to-tail stripes. The majority of individuals also have a white or pale blue underside, with a blue or blue-green colored throat. The body of the Leaping Lesbian Lizard additionally develops a distinctive shape.
That construction appears as distinctly slender, while the tail of the awesome reptile grows comparatively long. In fact, this particular shape, in combination with its coloring pattern, further represents an evolutionary adaptation for camouflage in its native habitat.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Telidae
- Genus: Cnemidophorus
- Species: C. neomexicanus
Leaping Lesbian Lizard Behavior
Like most other whiptail lizards, the Leaping Lesbian Lizard also evolved as diurnal. It’s thus far more active in the daylight hours. It also evolved as entirely insectivorous in nature. It remains wary, energetic, and fast moving, frequently darting for cover if approached.
Its reproductive methods, however, clearly and distinctly separate the animal from most related types of lizards. When this reptile reproduces, the mother-to-be lays up to four unfertilized eggs. This action most commonly occurs in the mid-summer part of the year.
These precious few eggs laid then typically hatch approximately eight weeks later. Despite reproducing asexually, and being an all-female species, the Leaping Lesbian Lizard still engages in mating behavior with other females of its own species, as its name also implies.
Interestingly, a common theory among many researchers suggests a logical purpose for this. That theory proposes that this observed behavior helps to stimulate ovulation. This belief occur due to the observed fact that those who do not mate do not lay eggs.
Leaping Lesbian Lizard Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Not surprisingly, the fascinating Leaping Lesbian Lizard evolved as native to a particularly arid environment. This range likely comes as no surprise to some, though. That specific range includes the southern United States and also northern Mexico, in North America.
However, even within these two regions, the amazing Leaping Lesbian Lizard also has specific areas it chooses to inhabit. As a result, in the United States it only appears in New Mexico and Arizona. Meanwhile, in Mexico, the species only lives in the area of Chihuahua.
The New Mexico Whiptail Lizard, as it is also known, also lives in a rather wide variety of semi-arid habitats. These varied regions include grassland, rocky areas, shrubland, or mountainside woodlands, proving its adaptability. It’s truly a remarkable creation of Nature.
4 Remarkably Evolved Reptiles
We hope that each of you thoroughly enjoyed reading, and hopefully learning from, this article we’ve written about these 4 Remarkably Evolved Reptiles. It’s also our hope that doing so has left you with either a new or renewed appreciation for such wonders of Nature.
Unfortunately, many other such creatures around the world now find themselves facing threats to their continued existence as a species. Many of those dangers, in fact, stem from the actions of mankind. We must do all we can to protect and preserve them all.
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