Home Bird WatchingLizards  |  Livestock | Flora & Fauna |Small world |email
Day Skies over Axa  | Night Skies Axa |  Beaches |Caught in Time

LIZARDS
Full Display of Lizard Aggression

Lizards eyeing each other but the bodies at this point have a normal appearance Lizards sparring with right lizard displaying its dewlap while the other's mouth is opened wide.  A moment later the lizard on the left displayed its dewlap. Notice the lateral orientation.
These two tree lizards were intent on having and completing a battle. It was a cunning, stealthy and contact filled fight that lasted for at least 20 minutes. Throughout this encounter I was able to photograph several postures of aggression. 

Dewlap Extension: A large  bright yellow flap of  skin under the throat

Sagittal Expansion: dorsal-ventral enlargement of body profile.

Lateral orientation: Displaying the side profile of the body to the opponent.

Protrusions of very discernable crests  along the neck and back

The fight progresses to biting and Interlocking Jaws.

(Left) Extreme aggression peaks with a face to face stand off, bodies enlarged and jaws about to clamp each other. 

(Right) Both Lizards readjusting for a second attack after falling from the pinnacle above.

(Left) Moment before another Jaw locking duel.

(Left) Jaws are locked and the lizards appear to be biting down hard on each other.

This unbelievable battle started before sunset and ended only after complete darkness had taken over. 

Notice the enlarged bodies, more lifted stance, opened mouths and  protrusions on the neck and back of the lizard.

Dewlap fully extended downwards
Dewlap fully extended at ~45o angle.
Dewlap partially extended.