Head to head
Oriental Garden Lizard vs Rainbow Agama
Oriental Garden Lizard
VS Rainbow Agama
The oriental garden lizard of Asia and the rainbow agama of Africa are two agamid lizards that live around gardens and buildings and whose males flush with colour in display.
| Oriental Garden Lizard | Rainbow Agama | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Calotes versicolor | Agama agama |
| Relationship | An agamid lizard, in the same family as the rainbow agama | An agamid lizard, in the same family as the oriental garden lizard |
| Breeding male | A bright red head and throat, which gave rise to the nickname bloodsucker | A bright blue body with an orange to red head and tail base, in the dominant male |
| Colour change | Can change colour from brown to green, with the shade shifting with mood, temperature, and display | Males change from dull brown to bright colours as they warm up and display |
| Diet | Ants, grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects, as well as spiders and occasionally small lizards | Mostly ants and other insects, with occasional seeds and small vertebrates |
| Lifestyle | Climbs shrubs, hedges, and low trees, clinging to branches with sharp claws | Lives in groups led by one dominant male, doing push-ups and head bobs from high perches |
| Range | South and Southeast Asia, with introduced populations in the Middle East and elsewhere | Savanna, scrub, rocky ground, and towns across West, Central, and parts of East Africa |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Oriental Garden Lizard vs Rainbow Agama: common questions
Does the bloodsucker suck blood?
No, the nickname comes from the breeding male's bright red head, but the lizard is an insect-eater and harmless to people.
Which lizard does push-ups?
The rainbow agama, whose males display with rapid push-ups and head bobs to signal dominance.
Are they related?
Yes, both belong to the agamids, the family of dragon lizards.