Ta-Ta Lizard or Gilbert's Dragon


Ta-Ta Lizard or Gilbert's Dragon (Lophognathus gilberti), probably a male When leaving Standley Chasm by bus, we passed this lizard sitting quite proud on a pole. The bus stopped, opened the door, two or three people went out to photograph, all going close enough for a good picture of a lizard measuring some 12 cm body length.
And all the time the model remained quite cool, presenting itself from all sides. It makes me think it was a male defending his territory, but in fact I didn't know anything.

Now Suzanne, a visitor of this site, wrote me this was a Ta-Ta Lizard or Gilbert's Dragon (Lophognathus gilberti). She has one regulary visiting the courtyard of the local school. Searching the net for more pictures and informations, I found an article about it's behaviour and ecology and a couple of pictures making me feel the body colour may vary. So my other lizard could be a Ta-Ta, too. The name Ta-Ta refers to one of their common gestures, looking like they were waving goodbye to someone.

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