The tragicomedy actor of Sinharaja
Hump-nosed Lizard (Lyriocephalus scutatus)
Sinharaja Rainforest
Fun Facts
All the world’s a stage, and all the hump-nosed lizards are merely reptilian players! Easily identifiable by the hump-like structure on top of its nose, and thus named quite aptly, the hump-nosed lizard is as theatrical as it looks. This species is known to dramatically play the damsel in distress and act dead when picked up, all part of Act I of its defence mechanism!
Lesser-known Facts
This agamid lizard is endemic to Sri Lanka, and is called ‘Bodilima’ in Sinhalese. It can be seen in wet zone forests such as Sinharaja and Kanneliya, hanging vertically on branches of trees. If threatened, this lizard opens its mouth, and much like an opera singer hitting the high notes, reveals the bright lining of its oral cavity as Act II!
Whereabouts
Catch their performance LIVE throughout the wet lowlands and the mid-hills, from 25m up to an elevation of 1650m. Usually found at Ratnapura, Udawattakele Sanctuary, Gannoruwa, Gammaduwa, Hanthana, Mathugama, Knuckles Mountain Range, Adam's Peak, Gampola, Kandy, and Sinharaja Rainforest.
