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Calotes versicolor
The ground-colour is generally a light brownish olive, but the lizard can change it to bright red, to black, and to a mixture of both. This change is sometimes confined to the head, at other times diffused over the whole body and tail. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_ga...)
It is an agamid lizard found widely distributed in Asia. It has also been introduced in many other parts of the world. I found this in Alathur, Palakkad District, Kerala, India
I don't understand what looks like paint on its hind legs and in patches elsewhere. Can anybody help?
Spotted on Nov 29, 2010
Submitted on Jan 18, 2013
8 Comments
Thank you, S Frazier
Thank you, Cody.conway
Thank you, EmilyMarino
Thank you, AshleyT
This species is also known with good reason as the "changeable lizard" but it also is one of the most variably (base-)colored lizards I know of (like a "green" iguana).
Great shot - I can agree with Ashley that the color patches seem to be old shed that has been retained. It's not uncommon. Another answer, genetically, could be that it has a single copy of a gene that reduces pigment - in the reptile breeding industry we refer to it as Paradoxing when it occurs randomly. Possible chance it is simple a non-heritable paradox.
My best guess would be that he is getting ready to be in his breeding colors to attacked a mate.
Beautiful lizard Vincent! Could the different colored patches be old skin that hasn't shed yet?