image credit: arkive.org
image credit: arkive.org
image credit: cheranga.d
image credit: kanishkaukuHabitat: Sri Lanka
Status: Endangered
The Leaf nosed Lizard (Ceratophora tennentii) also known as the “horn-nosed lizard” or “Horned lizard”, has a leaf-like appendage on the end of its nose that gives it a comical appearance. The Latin word “Ceratophora” actually means horn bearer, though females usually have much shorter appendages than the males.
This creature can reach over 8 inches in length including the tail, though it isn’t especially agile and relies on its brown and green coloration for camouflage to escape predators. Sadly, this species was placed on the IUCN endangered list in 2006 because its habitat had been severely destroyed by deforestation and the harvesting of goods such as coffee and cardamom.
