Ctenophorus tjantjalka, also known as the ochre dragon,[1] is a species of agamid lizard occurring on low, weathered, crumbling outcrops and stony hills in arid South Australia, from the Painted Hills north-west to the base of the Everard Ranges.[1]
Ctenophorus tjantjalka is a saxicolous ecomorph, agamid lizard, belonging to the Ctenophporus decresii group.
| Eukaryota | ||
| Kingdom | Animalia | |
| Phylum | Chordata | |
| Class | Reptilia | |
| Order | Squamata | |
| Suborder | Iguana | |
| Family | Agamidae | |
| Genus | ||
| Species | C. tjantjalka |
C. tjantjalka or Ochre Dragon is characterized as a robust, moderate-sized lizard which differs from other Ctenophorus species on the basis of having the smallest snout length (73mm), lack of banding on tail, and presence of vertebral keel.[2] The body of the lizard is depressed with proportionately large forelimbs.[3]
The physical and behavioral traits of the Ctenophorus species vary depending on their respective habitats within Australia.[4] This lizard inhabits the interior regions of South Australia, widespread between the Idulkana Range and Oodnadatta in the North, and Coober Pedy and Davenport Range in the South.[5]
All specimens are found located either within or at close proximity to rocky areas.
Members of the C. Decresii Species group portray sexually dimorphic dorsal coloration.[6] Male C. Tjantjalka are uniform light blue with salmon flanks and lack the dark lateral bands on the tail, while females have presence of pale spots.[7]
They feed on ants in arid zones.[8] Ants constitute of majority of the diet by percentage, while grasshoppers, termites, hermipterans, scorpions, spiders, beetles, and wasps are eaten in a smaller amount.[9]
Common Predators of the Ctenophorus are Brown falcons, Australian Kestrels, Bustards, Large snakes and the monitor lizards.[10]