Reptile · GBIF taxon 5226250
Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama
Agama mwanzaeAlso known as Spider-Man Agama, Spider-Man Lizard
Dominant males display striking crimson-red heads and shoulders paired with vibrant indigo-blue bodies, earning them frequent comparisons to comic book heroes. These diurnal lizards live in social groups centered around granite boulders, where a single territorial male defends a harem of cryptic brownish females and subordinate rivals. When temperatures drop or danger approaches, males rapidly dim their brilliant breeding colors into mottled browns to blend seamlessly against sunbaked granite.
ReptileDiurnalColorful
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Ants
- Beetles
- Termites
Predators
- Birds of prey
- Snakes
- Mongooses
ThreatsHabitat disturbance, localized collection for the exotic pet trade
HabitatsGranite rock outcrops (kopjes), semi-arid savannas, rocky scrubland
Life span10–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAgamidae
- GenusAgama
- SpeciesAgama mwanzae
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to humans; safe to observe from a respectful distance.
Responsible observation
- Approaching: Move slowly across open rocks, as sudden movements send these skittish lizards darting into cracks.
- Best Viewing: Search during the hottest midday hours when dominant males exhibit their most intense colors.
Neighbor (c) Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Lennart Hudel / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Same Family (c) datadan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.