Calotes jerdoni

{{Short description|Species of lizard}} {{Speciesbox | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | image = Calotes_jerdoni.jpg | genus = Calotes | species = jerdoni | authority = Günther, 1870<ref>{{EMBL species|genus=Calotes|species=jerdoni}} www.reptile-database.org</ref> }}

'''''Calotes jerdoni''''', commonly known as the '''Indo-Chinese forest lizard''' or '''Jerdon's forest lizard''', is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to China and South Asia.

==Etymology== The specific name, ''jerdoni'', is in honor of British biologist Thomas C. Jerdon.<ref>Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (''Calotes jerdoni'', p. 134)</ref> Common names include '''green forest lizard''', '''green garden lizard''', Indochinese forest lizard and Jerdon's forest lizard.

==Description/Identification== left|thumb|''C. jerdoni'' '''Physical structure:''' A compressed-bodied lizard. This species resembles ''Calotes maria'' in pholidotic (scale) and other characters except that it has 45-57 scales round the body; gular scales much larger than the ventral scales; there is an oblique curved fold covered with small granular scales in front of the shoulders; nuchal crest less prominent; the hind-limb reaches to the eye or not quite so far.<ref name=faunind>{{cite web|url=http://faunaofindia.nic.in/PDFVolumes/hpg/007/index.pdf|format=PDF|title=Indian Lizards Handbook|author1=TIKADER, B.K.|author1-link=species:Benoy Krishna Tikader|author2=SHARMA, R.C.|author2-link=species:Ramesh Chandra Sharma|website=Faunaofindia.nic.in|access-date=17 March 2022}}</ref> Dorsal and lateral scales directed upward.

'''Color pattern:''' Deep-green dorsal coloration with yellow, orange or brown spots, but in many cases can make the body into a dark brown within a few seconds.

'''Length:''' Maximum total length (including tail): {{convert|38.5|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=faunind/> Common total length: {{convert|32|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Common snout-to-vent length (SVL) : {{convert|9|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

==Distribution and habitat== Bangladesh, Bhutan, China (W Yunnan, Xizang = Tibet), India (Khasi Hills in Assam & Shillong) and Myanmar.

Terrestrial & arboreal; diurnal;<ref name=faunind/> found in many types of forested land. Prefers dense and bushy hill forest.<ref name=sikkim>{{Cite web |url=http://sikkim.nic.in/sikkimroot/html/reptiles.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921080440/http://sikkim.nic.in/sikkimroot/html/reptiles.pdf |archive-date=2018-09-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A skillful and an adept climber, it moves over trees and bushes rather swiftly. It is active during the day time.<ref name=sikkim/>

==Diet== Insectivorous; feeds largely on insects but at times bird-eggs, nestlings, and frogs too are eaten up.<ref name=sikkim/>

==Reproduction== Oviparous; breeding season begins around April when males develop bright coloration in the forebody and begin to chase females. Female digs a small hollow in soft earth and lays 11-23 eggs in it for incubation and safety.<ref name=sikkim/>

==Threat to humans== Non-venomous and completely harmless to humans.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== *Annandale N (1905). "Contributions to Oriental Herpetology. Suppl. II. Notes on the Oriental lizards in the Indian Museum, with a list of the species recorded from British India and Ceylon". ''Journal & Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal'' '''1''' (2): 81–93. *Günther A (1870). "Descriptions of a New Indian Lizard of the Genus ''Calotes'' ". ''Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London'' '''1870''': 778-779 + Plate XLV. (''Calotes jerdoni'', new species).

jerdoni Category:Reptiles described in 1870 Category:Taxa named by Albert Günther