Acanthosaura
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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Acanthosaura | image = Acanthosaura_sp.jpg | image_size = 240px | image_caption = Mountain Horned Dragon, Acanthosaura sp. | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Reptilia | ordo = Squamata | subordo = Sauria | familia = Agamidae | genus = Acanthosaura }}
Acanthosaura is a genus of lizards commonly known as mountain horned dragons, or pricklenape agamas. They are so named because of a row of dorsal spines which run down the back of their neck. They are arboreal lizards that are found in Southeast Asia. They are medium-sized, ranging from about 7 1/2 inches up to 15 inches in length. They tend to prefer higher elevation areas that are dense with vegetation.
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Diet
Mountain horned dragons are insectivorous, consuming almost any species of arthropod they can find, which will fit into their mouth. They will also eat earthworms.
Reproduction
Females lay their first clutch of eggs about 4 months after mating. They may lay up to 4 clutches total per year, seperated by by a month or two.
In captivity
Mountain horned dragons are popular pets, and readily available in the exotic pet trade. The most common species found for sale in the United States is A. capra. While not considered to be difficult to breed in captivity, most specimins available are wild caught.
Taxonomy
- Acanthosaura armata, Armored Pricklenape (Gray, 1827) - China, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
- Acanthosaura capra, Green Pricklenape (Günther, 1861) - Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
- Acanthosaura crucigera, Boulenger's Pricklenape (Boulenger, 1885) - Myanmar, Thailand, C Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
- Acanthosaura lepidogaster, Brown Pricklenape (Cuvier, 1829) - Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and China.