Ctenophorus fionni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ctenophorus fionni |
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| A peninsula dragon in captivity | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ctenophorus
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| Species: |
fionni
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Ctenophorus fionni, commonly known as the Arcoona rock dragon, peninsula dragon, or peninsula crevice-dragon, is a species of agamid lizard occurring only in South Australia.
Etymology
The specific name, fionni, is in honor of someone called "Fionn", the identity of whom Procter never revealed.
Description
Adults of C. fionni have a total length (including tail) of 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in). Females range in colour from brown to reddish-brown, with dark mottling. Males tend to have grey backs, brown heads and a multitude of white, cream and yellow-orange spots. The patterns and colours of males can vary drastically between different geographically isolated populations, with each isolated population having its own unique colour/pattern combination.
Ecology and behaviour
The peninsula dragon is native to the rocky areas of Arcoona. It spend basks on rocks, and retreats to rock crevices for shelter. It is fast and agile, and will immediately dash to safety in between rocks when threatened. Peninsula dragons communicate through body posture, body movement, and color display, and these communications are most likely to be displayed during breeding seasons.
Reproduction
The breeding season of C. fionni starts at around spring, when the weather is beginning to warm up. Males in this time of year become very active, showing dominance and fighting for females. Females are known to lay up to 6 eggs, typically during spring and summer depending on the location and conditions.
Diet
The peninsula dragon is an omnivore, meaning that it feeds on a diet of both meat, in this case insects, and vegetation. The peninsula dragon's diet comprises approximately 70% insects and 30% vegetation.
Threats
Threats to C. fionni include habitat loss, car roads, and introduced species.
- Procter JB (1923). "On New and Rare Reptiles and Batrachians from the Australian Region". Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1923: 1069-1077. (Amphibolurus fionni, new species, pp. 1075-1076, Text-figures 4a, 4b, 4c).
