What is an agama?
An agama is a kind of lizard. Some male agamas have plain bodies but a very bright head or back when they feel hot or a bit cross.
How do their colours change?
- Under their skin they have tiny color boxes called "color cells." These cells can show more or less color, like opening or closing a window.
- When the agama gets hot or feels cross, the color cells open up and the bright colours show more.
- When it is cool or calm, the cells hide the bright colours and the lizard looks duller.
Why do they do this?
- To say hello to lady agamas: Bright colours can help a male agama get noticed by females.
- To say back off to other males: Colours can warn rivals and help the lizard look strong.
- Because of heat: When they are warm the body changes and the bright colours can come out more.
What you can do if you see one
- Watch quietly from a little way away. Don’t chase or poke it.
- If it shows bright colours, it might be saying it is hot or telling another lizard to go away.
- You can draw what you see: draw the lizard when it is calm and when its colours pop!
That’s why an agama’s colours pop — its tiny color cells show bright paint when it is hot or a bit cross, to talk to other lizards and to help itself.