On Blue Lizard

 

A unique Blue Lizard which is found in the Petra area of Jordan. The lizard is also called the Sinai agama. It is also found in Syria, Sinai, and Israel, but Jordan is still the best place to see it. It lives between the rocks in the Petra area. It avoids contact with people, so it has moved to areas that are inaccessible to tourists. That’s why it is hard to see it. It is a cold-blooded (ectothermic) animal, so it has to come out in the open in the morning on boulders, cliffs, or piles of stone to bask in the sun in order to store energy. Sitting in the sun, it frequently opens its mouth (‘gaping’). Gaping is used for thermoregulation by releasing excess body heat. This is important as the lizards do not sweat to cool down. Once energized, it goes back to its hiding place between the rocks. It is usually dull brown in color, but the male turns bright blue in the head and throat only during the mating season. So, there is a very narrow window of opportunity to see it in blue. The female doesn’t change colors. Its limbs and tail are long and thin, allowing for good climbing and running capability. It feeds on insects and plants. Unlike other members of the genus Agama, its third toe is the longest rather than the fourth. Please see the photograph. It appears that the lizard is quite low on energy to run away. The best it could do is to change positions. Once sufficiently recharged, it ran away. Wildlife is so unpredictable. You have to be at the right place at the right time.