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/ˈæɡəmə/
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/ˈæɡəmə/
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/ˈæɡəmə/
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/ˈæɡəmə/
Plural
agamas
Agama is a genus of colorful, diurnal lizards native to Africa and parts of Asia and the Middle East—famous for males flashing bright blue heads and orange bodies during courtship or territorial displays. Think of them as the flashy, push-up-doing rock stars of the savanna!
The male agama turned its head brilliant blue to impress the female.
We spotted several agamas basking on sun-warmed rocks near the Serengeti riverbank.
Agamas are insectivorous and use quick, precise tongue strikes to catch ants and beetles.
Unlike chameleons, agamas cannot change color over large areas—but they do shift hues slightly for temperature regulation and communication.
The agama's long hind legs make it an agile sprinter, easily escaping snakes and birds of prey.
agama
Comes from the Malayalam and Tamil word 'agamā' (അഗമം / அகம்), meaning 'that which comes from within' or 'scriptural tradition'; later adopted into zoological Latin as a genus name. It is not derived from classical Greek or Latin roots but functions as a taxonomic proper noun in biology. Examples include Agama agama (the common agama), Agama aculeata, Agama kirkii.