fynbos
Fynbos are characterized by low nutrient soils,
mediterraneum climate due to the cold see current. This biome has high levels
of endemism and sclerophyllous vegetation. Large mammals are primarily absent
and other reptiles are not as common. Dominant plant group include the proteas,
Erica, restios and geophytes. This System is primarily fire driven. Most plants
and some animals have adapted in this frequently burnt, fire driven ecosystem.
mammals
Common mole rat (cryptomys hottentotus)
Diagnostic characteristics: C.hottentotus is a large fuzzy almost blind rodent that lives most of its time underground. They are covered in brown/ gray long fuzzy hairs and they can reach a length of 16cm, the body is cylindrical and has short appendages. They have a distinctive whit spot on their head with very small eyes and large chisel like incisors. They have well adapted sensory organs (long nose hairs) and craws that they use to dig large underground tunnels
Biological information: C.hottentotus are social animals and form colonies and are seasonal breeder with one or two litters per breeding season each litter consists of 2-5 young. C.hottentotus lives primarily underground and is well adapted to this subterranean life style. The underground tunnels they dig are primarily due to the search for food, but are used as a shelter, nest, food storage as well as wast disposal. C.hottentotus is an herbivore and consume large amounts of plant fibers.
Importance: These mol rates play an important role in the fynbos ecosystem. The amount of dirt they move helps to improve the soil water drainage. These mole rates are unaffected by fires due to their subterranean life style.
Diagnostic characteristics: C.hottentotus is a large fuzzy almost blind rodent that lives most of its time underground. They are covered in brown/ gray long fuzzy hairs and they can reach a length of 16cm, the body is cylindrical and has short appendages. They have a distinctive whit spot on their head with very small eyes and large chisel like incisors. They have well adapted sensory organs (long nose hairs) and craws that they use to dig large underground tunnels
Biological information: C.hottentotus are social animals and form colonies and are seasonal breeder with one or two litters per breeding season each litter consists of 2-5 young. C.hottentotus lives primarily underground and is well adapted to this subterranean life style. The underground tunnels they dig are primarily due to the search for food, but are used as a shelter, nest, food storage as well as wast disposal. C.hottentotus is an herbivore and consume large amounts of plant fibers.
Importance: These mol rates play an important role in the fynbos ecosystem. The amount of dirt they move helps to improve the soil water drainage. These mole rates are unaffected by fires due to their subterranean life style.
Grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis)
Diagnostic characteristics: R.melanotis are small antelope with rough reddish coat flecked with white hairs. They have adistinctive black bridges that run from the eyes to the nose. They also have distinctive scent glands beneath the eyes. Only the males have short straight gray horns.
Biological information: R.melanotis is endemic to the Western Cape. They are nocturnal solitary territorial browser, that mark their teretory with their scent glands and creating dung heaps and using urine. They can apparently go without drinking water for long periods, gaining most of its requirements from its food. During the breeding season the females will nurse the young. When threatened they will lie flat in the grass or run in a zigzag pattern to confuse their pursuers.
Importance: R.melanotis are not adapted to deal with fires, and the frequent fires that occurs in the fynbos will drive them to different habitats, to return when the vegetation recovers.
Diagnostic characteristics: R.melanotis are small antelope with rough reddish coat flecked with white hairs. They have adistinctive black bridges that run from the eyes to the nose. They also have distinctive scent glands beneath the eyes. Only the males have short straight gray horns.
Biological information: R.melanotis is endemic to the Western Cape. They are nocturnal solitary territorial browser, that mark their teretory with their scent glands and creating dung heaps and using urine. They can apparently go without drinking water for long periods, gaining most of its requirements from its food. During the breeding season the females will nurse the young. When threatened they will lie flat in the grass or run in a zigzag pattern to confuse their pursuers.
Importance: R.melanotis are not adapted to deal with fires, and the frequent fires that occurs in the fynbos will drive them to different habitats, to return when the vegetation recovers.
Striped mice (Rhabdomys pumilio)
Diagnostic characteristics: R.pumilio is a small rodent with a soft fur that is dark brown to gray in color. There are 4 destinctive black lines running down the body of the mouse. They reach a average body length of 21 cm and weight up to 55 g
Biological information: R.pumilio are diurnal opportunistic omnivorous that are mostly active during the day because they cannot maintain their body temperature when environmental temperature go below 5 degrees Celsius. They dig large extensive underground tunnels that are very well concealed with grass. During the beredig season the females seems to beterritorial and females have a litter size of up to 6 altricial young.
Importance: This small rodent survives in the fynbos by retreating to rocky patches where fires do not occur.
Diagnostic characteristics: R.pumilio is a small rodent with a soft fur that is dark brown to gray in color. There are 4 destinctive black lines running down the body of the mouse. They reach a average body length of 21 cm and weight up to 55 g
Biological information: R.pumilio are diurnal opportunistic omnivorous that are mostly active during the day because they cannot maintain their body temperature when environmental temperature go below 5 degrees Celsius. They dig large extensive underground tunnels that are very well concealed with grass. During the beredig season the females seems to beterritorial and females have a litter size of up to 6 altricial young.
Importance: This small rodent survives in the fynbos by retreating to rocky patches where fires do not occur.
birds
Sugarbird (Promerops Cafer)
Diagnostic characteristics: P.cafer is a relatively dull looking bird with different shades of brown feathers. They have a distinctive yellow patch of feathers around the tail feathers, also their tail feathers are very long only in the male. The main flight feathers are arranged in such a way that they make a distinctive sound when they fly.
Biological information: P.cafer are restricted to the fynbos region and makes their nest in the protea bushes out of different twigs and soft foliage. They feed on the nectar of the fynbos plants as well as some insects. In the breeding season the female will lay up to 2 eggs which she incubates for up to 20 days. They are endemic to the fynbos biome.
Importance: P.cafer is the main pollinator of the protea family and are very important in the fynbos ecosystem. They are threaten by frequent fires and struggle to cope re establish itself after frequent fires.
Diagnostic characteristics: P.cafer is a relatively dull looking bird with different shades of brown feathers. They have a distinctive yellow patch of feathers around the tail feathers, also their tail feathers are very long only in the male. The main flight feathers are arranged in such a way that they make a distinctive sound when they fly.
Biological information: P.cafer are restricted to the fynbos region and makes their nest in the protea bushes out of different twigs and soft foliage. They feed on the nectar of the fynbos plants as well as some insects. In the breeding season the female will lay up to 2 eggs which she incubates for up to 20 days. They are endemic to the fynbos biome.
Importance: P.cafer is the main pollinator of the protea family and are very important in the fynbos ecosystem. They are threaten by frequent fires and struggle to cope re establish itself after frequent fires.
Orangebreasted sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea)
Diagnostic characteristics: Anthobaphesviolacea is a beautiful little bird with a variety of feather colors that are unique to this specie. They have a dark metallic green head with a metallic blue ring around the neck. The chest ranges from metallic orange to yellow. The bill, legs and feet are black. Males have a long black tail.
Biological information: Anthobaphesviolacea show sexual dimorphism. They are important pollinators for Erica and proteas. They feed on a variety of insects but primarily on the nectar of Erica and proteas. During the breeding season they make nest out of small twigs and green leas that are held together by spider’s web. The male defends this territory aggressively.
Importance: They are capable of escaping fires by retreating to area where the fire have not reached.
Diagnostic characteristics: Anthobaphesviolacea is a beautiful little bird with a variety of feather colors that are unique to this specie. They have a dark metallic green head with a metallic blue ring around the neck. The chest ranges from metallic orange to yellow. The bill, legs and feet are black. Males have a long black tail.
Biological information: Anthobaphesviolacea show sexual dimorphism. They are important pollinators for Erica and proteas. They feed on a variety of insects but primarily on the nectar of Erica and proteas. During the breeding season they make nest out of small twigs and green leas that are held together by spider’s web. The male defends this territory aggressively.
Importance: They are capable of escaping fires by retreating to area where the fire have not reached.
Seed eating yellow wrumped widow (Euplectes capensis)
Diagnostic characteristics: E.capensis differs in color variation between sexes. Males have black heads, chest and tail feathers having a unique yellow patch on the back and on the wings. Females are duller in color from different shades of brown but with distinctive black stripes on the back.
Biological information: E.capensis are solitary polgynous territorial nesters. In the breeding season the males can have up to 4 females. The males construct the nest with a side entrance made out of woven grass. The female lays 2-4 eggs, which are incubated by the female alone for about 15-16 days. It eats seeds and some insects, searching for most of its food on the ground and between patches of grass.
Importance: Being a bird they are able to escape when conditions turn unfavorable.
Diagnostic characteristics: E.capensis differs in color variation between sexes. Males have black heads, chest and tail feathers having a unique yellow patch on the back and on the wings. Females are duller in color from different shades of brown but with distinctive black stripes on the back.
Biological information: E.capensis are solitary polgynous territorial nesters. In the breeding season the males can have up to 4 females. The males construct the nest with a side entrance made out of woven grass. The female lays 2-4 eggs, which are incubated by the female alone for about 15-16 days. It eats seeds and some insects, searching for most of its food on the ground and between patches of grass.
Importance: Being a bird they are able to escape when conditions turn unfavorable.
trees/shrubs
Protea (Leucadendron argenteum)
Diagnostic characteristics: L.argenteum is a evergreen shrubby tree growing 5–7 m tall. The stem is straight, erect and thick with grey bark. L.argenteum produces soft silver-grey leaves that are covered in pubescence. Flowers are formed on the tips of the branches and are very dense and are surrounded by involucral brackets. The flower varies in color between male and female flowers. L.argenteum produces a large nut that is equipped with a parachute-like appendage, which helps the seed to disperse in the wind.
Biological information: L.argenteum is s dioecious protea. The flowers are pleasantly scented that aids in the attraction of small beetles that do the job of pollination. L.argenteum is a reseeders and copes well in the fire prone fynbos system. L.argenteum has a thick bark that help protects against fires, but more intense fires will cause mortality. Only the seeds survive the intense fires by being enclosed in a thick woody cone.
Importance: L.argenteum is well adapted to survive in a fire driven ecosystem, they have thick barky stems and have the ability to resprout after a fire. They also have well protected seeds that are despirsed after a fire via the wind.
Diagnostic characteristics: L.argenteum is a evergreen shrubby tree growing 5–7 m tall. The stem is straight, erect and thick with grey bark. L.argenteum produces soft silver-grey leaves that are covered in pubescence. Flowers are formed on the tips of the branches and are very dense and are surrounded by involucral brackets. The flower varies in color between male and female flowers. L.argenteum produces a large nut that is equipped with a parachute-like appendage, which helps the seed to disperse in the wind.
Biological information: L.argenteum is s dioecious protea. The flowers are pleasantly scented that aids in the attraction of small beetles that do the job of pollination. L.argenteum is a reseeders and copes well in the fire prone fynbos system. L.argenteum has a thick bark that help protects against fires, but more intense fires will cause mortality. Only the seeds survive the intense fires by being enclosed in a thick woody cone.
Importance: L.argenteum is well adapted to survive in a fire driven ecosystem, they have thick barky stems and have the ability to resprout after a fire. They also have well protected seeds that are despirsed after a fire via the wind.
Protea (leucospermum conocarpodendron)
Diagnostic characteristics: L.conocarpodendron is a tree like shrub growing 3-5 m tall and 3-6 m thick. A single thick main stem that is covers with a thick layer of bark. The flowering stems are solid and stiff and covered with pubescence as well as the grey green leaves. The flowers are spherical, showy and bright yellow. L.conocarpodendron produces a nut-like seed.
Biological information: L.conocarpodendron is endemic to the Cape Peninsula. The brightly colored and unscented flowers are pollinated by sugarbirds.
Importance: L.conocarpodendron has a long thick woody stem that makes this species fairly fire resistant and allows it to survive fires. L.conocarpodendron is not a resprouter and will die if heavily burned. The seeds have elaiosome on the sides that are irresistible for ants. The ants carry the seeds down into their colony where it is placed in a viable germinating environment. This is known as myrmecochory
Diagnostic characteristics: L.conocarpodendron is a tree like shrub growing 3-5 m tall and 3-6 m thick. A single thick main stem that is covers with a thick layer of bark. The flowering stems are solid and stiff and covered with pubescence as well as the grey green leaves. The flowers are spherical, showy and bright yellow. L.conocarpodendron produces a nut-like seed.
Biological information: L.conocarpodendron is endemic to the Cape Peninsula. The brightly colored and unscented flowers are pollinated by sugarbirds.
Importance: L.conocarpodendron has a long thick woody stem that makes this species fairly fire resistant and allows it to survive fires. L.conocarpodendron is not a resprouter and will die if heavily burned. The seeds have elaiosome on the sides that are irresistible for ants. The ants carry the seeds down into their colony where it is placed in a viable germinating environment. This is known as myrmecochory
Protea (Mimetes cucullatus)
Diagnostic characteristics: M.cucullatus is a multi-stemmed, densely leaved (diamond elliptic ) shrub, which grows up to 2 m tall and can be quite bushy. The flowers are tubular and grouped into dense cylindrical inflorescences. At the inside of the base of the flower there are four scale-like nectaries and a small superior ovary, that produces a dry nut-like fruit. A unique feature of this protea are the presence of wooly like tufts that dangle out between the flower heads. These tufts are made from lots of small florets and forms a cylindrical inflorescence
Biological information: M.cucullatus are pollinated by birds. Glands on the tips of its leaves attracts ants and this is thought to be a defense mechanism against herbivores. The ants are the main disperser of the propagules. The seeds have elaiosomes that attract ants. The ants will carry them to their colonies where the seed can germinate underground.
Importance: M.cucullatus is a resprouter that grows from a woody underground rootstock after a fire.
Diagnostic characteristics: M.cucullatus is a multi-stemmed, densely leaved (diamond elliptic ) shrub, which grows up to 2 m tall and can be quite bushy. The flowers are tubular and grouped into dense cylindrical inflorescences. At the inside of the base of the flower there are four scale-like nectaries and a small superior ovary, that produces a dry nut-like fruit. A unique feature of this protea are the presence of wooly like tufts that dangle out between the flower heads. These tufts are made from lots of small florets and forms a cylindrical inflorescence
Biological information: M.cucullatus are pollinated by birds. Glands on the tips of its leaves attracts ants and this is thought to be a defense mechanism against herbivores. The ants are the main disperser of the propagules. The seeds have elaiosomes that attract ants. The ants will carry them to their colonies where the seed can germinate underground.
Importance: M.cucullatus is a resprouter that grows from a woody underground rootstock after a fire.
herbs
Kanolpypie (Watsonia borbonica)
Diagnostic characteristics: W.borbonica is a superb herbaceous perennial bulbous plant with big spikes of pink trumpet shaped flowers. The runderground storage organ is a corm, which gives rise to multiple wide, blade shaped leaves. The spike flowers are large and pink to light purple in color and are weakly aromatic. The fruit is a woody rhombus capsule that splits open to release winged seeds.
Biological information: W.borbonica grows from a corm,and can remain dormant when the environment is not suitable for growth. The flowers are zygomorphic. After a fire masses of seeds are released that increase abundance of the species. W.borbonica are pollinated bees.
Importance: W.borbonica is an important source of food for various animals that feed on their seeds and pollen. They have adapted to survive fire by releasing large numbers of seeds after a fire and by resprouting from an underground rootstock.
Diagnostic characteristics: W.borbonica is a superb herbaceous perennial bulbous plant with big spikes of pink trumpet shaped flowers. The runderground storage organ is a corm, which gives rise to multiple wide, blade shaped leaves. The spike flowers are large and pink to light purple in color and are weakly aromatic. The fruit is a woody rhombus capsule that splits open to release winged seeds.
Biological information: W.borbonica grows from a corm,and can remain dormant when the environment is not suitable for growth. The flowers are zygomorphic. After a fire masses of seeds are released that increase abundance of the species. W.borbonica are pollinated bees.
Importance: W.borbonica is an important source of food for various animals that feed on their seeds and pollen. They have adapted to survive fire by releasing large numbers of seeds after a fire and by resprouting from an underground rootstock.
Orchid (Disa cardinalis)
Diagnostic characteristics: D.cardinalis is an attractive orchid with sparkling red flowers. They have an underground root that give rise to a single stem. They form an extensive underground network of stolons. Leaves are clustered at the bottom of the stem. Flowers are unique having 3 sepals and 3 petals, which are large and showy. D.cardinalis has a rostellum that separates the anthers form the sigma.
Biological information: D.cardinalis is an evergreen perennial plant that grows next to streams in the cape. D.cardinalis likes to grow in full sun. The seeds are quite large and are possibly dispersed by the streams next to which the plants grow.
Importance: D.cardinalis is a resprouter and will emerge after a fire.
Diagnostic characteristics: D.cardinalis is an attractive orchid with sparkling red flowers. They have an underground root that give rise to a single stem. They form an extensive underground network of stolons. Leaves are clustered at the bottom of the stem. Flowers are unique having 3 sepals and 3 petals, which are large and showy. D.cardinalis has a rostellum that separates the anthers form the sigma.
Biological information: D.cardinalis is an evergreen perennial plant that grows next to streams in the cape. D.cardinalis likes to grow in full sun. The seeds are quite large and are possibly dispersed by the streams next to which the plants grow.
Importance: D.cardinalis is a resprouter and will emerge after a fire.
Erica (Erica curviflora)
Diagnostic characteristics: E.curviflora is a vertical, woody shrub growing as tall as 1.6 m. They grow from a well-built woody stem and produce thin, slender but straight branches with soft leaves that are gray-green in color. The flowers are hairy, curved and tubular that varies in color between yellow to dark red.
Biological information: E.curviflora needs lots of water to grow and is therefore found growing in large communities next to the banks of streams and rivers. E.curviflora tubular flower are said to have coevolved along with the curved beaks of the sunbirds that pollinate these plants.
Importance: E.curviflora is an effective attractor of pollinators thus establishing in high abundance to ensure the species survival after a fire.
Diagnostic characteristics: E.curviflora is a vertical, woody shrub growing as tall as 1.6 m. They grow from a well-built woody stem and produce thin, slender but straight branches with soft leaves that are gray-green in color. The flowers are hairy, curved and tubular that varies in color between yellow to dark red.
Biological information: E.curviflora needs lots of water to grow and is therefore found growing in large communities next to the banks of streams and rivers. E.curviflora tubular flower are said to have coevolved along with the curved beaks of the sunbirds that pollinate these plants.
Importance: E.curviflora is an effective attractor of pollinators thus establishing in high abundance to ensure the species survival after a fire.
invertebrate
African hummingbird hawk-moth (macroglossum trochilus)
Diagnostic characteristics: Head and thorax pale olive above and very pale buff below. Abdomen is pale olive above and orange on the sides. The hind segments are darker dorsally, with a yellow distal fringe.. Lateral tufts are dark brown and white. The abdomen is reddish brown below. The forewings are brown with a series of darker transverse bands. The wings have striped wavy patterns with colors varying from cream white, brown and black.
Biological information: These moths are day time pollinators
Importance: They are one of the important pollinator in the fynbos ecosystem and. Frequent fires will diminish the population numbers.
Diagnostic characteristics: Head and thorax pale olive above and very pale buff below. Abdomen is pale olive above and orange on the sides. The hind segments are darker dorsally, with a yellow distal fringe.. Lateral tufts are dark brown and white. The abdomen is reddish brown below. The forewings are brown with a series of darker transverse bands. The wings have striped wavy patterns with colors varying from cream white, brown and black.
Biological information: These moths are day time pollinators
Importance: They are one of the important pollinator in the fynbos ecosystem and. Frequent fires will diminish the population numbers.
Argentine ant (Linepithema humile)
Diagnostic characteristics: L.humile is a very small dark ant. Queens can be up to 4 time the size of the worker ants. Due to their poor ability of digging deep nest they would rather make nests beneath loose leave litter or small stones. They will however adopt a deeper abandoned nest.
Biological information: L.humile are not native to Southa Africa and are invasive and will therefore easily wipe out indigenous arthropods. These invades do not compete between nesting population, unlike other ants, thus makes them more successful as a invasive species. They display extraordinary social organization known as unicoloniality.
Importance: They can establish in large number and can have detrimental effect on the native ant species taking over their nest and forming super colonies. This in turn can have a negative effect on the native plant species.)
Diagnostic characteristics: L.humile is a very small dark ant. Queens can be up to 4 time the size of the worker ants. Due to their poor ability of digging deep nest they would rather make nests beneath loose leave litter or small stones. They will however adopt a deeper abandoned nest.
Biological information: L.humile are not native to Southa Africa and are invasive and will therefore easily wipe out indigenous arthropods. These invades do not compete between nesting population, unlike other ants, thus makes them more successful as a invasive species. They display extraordinary social organization known as unicoloniality.
Importance: They can establish in large number and can have detrimental effect on the native ant species taking over their nest and forming super colonies. This in turn can have a negative effect on the native plant species.)
Damselfly (Chlorolestes apricans)
Diagnostic characteristics: This prominent damselfly has a bright metallic-green body with white, fine splashes on its head and thorax. They have 4 black and white stripped wings. The abdomen are bright metallic green with fine yellow rings at the start of each segment.
Biological information: C. apricans are endemic to South Africa. They mate in flight. The female lays her eggs on plants that overhang streams. The larvae stage is in the form of an aquatic nymph, preying on other small invertebrates
Importance: They are a bio-indicator for pollution and control the small invertebrate populations.
Diagnostic characteristics: This prominent damselfly has a bright metallic-green body with white, fine splashes on its head and thorax. They have 4 black and white stripped wings. The abdomen are bright metallic green with fine yellow rings at the start of each segment.
Biological information: C. apricans are endemic to South Africa. They mate in flight. The female lays her eggs on plants that overhang streams. The larvae stage is in the form of an aquatic nymph, preying on other small invertebrates
Importance: They are a bio-indicator for pollution and control the small invertebrate populations.
reptiles/amphibians
Mole snake (Pseudaspis cana)
Diagnostic characteristics: The adult snake can reach a length of 2m. Its small head and pointed snout are characteristics of the species. They have firm, muscular body and are not venomous and would rather use constriction for killing their prey. The body is mostly a dartk shiny brown to black. These snakes burrow underground to hunt prey such as mole rats.
Biological information: Its diet includes golden moles, rodents as well as eggs of seafowl. Mating takes place in late spring and the female gives birth to bewteen 25-50 young snakes.
Importance: The more rats are important in controlling rodent populations.
Diagnostic characteristics: The adult snake can reach a length of 2m. Its small head and pointed snout are characteristics of the species. They have firm, muscular body and are not venomous and would rather use constriction for killing their prey. The body is mostly a dartk shiny brown to black. These snakes burrow underground to hunt prey such as mole rats.
Biological information: Its diet includes golden moles, rodents as well as eggs of seafowl. Mating takes place in late spring and the female gives birth to bewteen 25-50 young snakes.
Importance: The more rats are important in controlling rodent populations.
Angulate tortoise (Chersina angulata)
Diagnostic characteristics: Medium-sized tortoise that grow approximately 270 mm in length and weight of 2kg. The males are larger than the females. They have stretched out convex shells which are never flattened. A key characteristic of angulate tortoise shells is the chinshield below their head. Another character is the shape of each shield on the carapace that are black and triangular.
Biological information: Courtship takes place during spring when males actively court females and defend their territories against other males. Males will actively engage in combat with each other and will use the protruding gular shield to fight and attempt turning each other over. 2 to 6 eggs are laid per year. They fall prey to many predators such as baboons, jackal, mongoose, badgers and predatory birds.
Importance: Fire in natural habitats affect their population size.
Diagnostic characteristics: Medium-sized tortoise that grow approximately 270 mm in length and weight of 2kg. The males are larger than the females. They have stretched out convex shells which are never flattened. A key characteristic of angulate tortoise shells is the chinshield below their head. Another character is the shape of each shield on the carapace that are black and triangular.
Biological information: Courtship takes place during spring when males actively court females and defend their territories against other males. Males will actively engage in combat with each other and will use the protruding gular shield to fight and attempt turning each other over. 2 to 6 eggs are laid per year. They fall prey to many predators such as baboons, jackal, mongoose, badgers and predatory birds.
Importance: Fire in natural habitats affect their population size.
Agama (Agama atra)
Diagnostic characteristics: Grows up to about 25cm. Has a thin dorsal crest that runs the length of its body. It typically has a short, plump body and a thin tail, with a triangular head. Males attain larger body sizes than femalese.
Biological information: Agama atra is very sociable and occurs in small groups. Heads of the males become bright blue during the breeding season. These active, diurnal lizards normally hunt small insects such as ants and termites. The colonies are territorial and both sexes defend the boundaries. A polygynous mating system is employed in this species.
Importance: They control the small invertebrate populations.
Diagnostic characteristics: Grows up to about 25cm. Has a thin dorsal crest that runs the length of its body. It typically has a short, plump body and a thin tail, with a triangular head. Males attain larger body sizes than femalese.
Biological information: Agama atra is very sociable and occurs in small groups. Heads of the males become bright blue during the breeding season. These active, diurnal lizards normally hunt small insects such as ants and termites. The colonies are territorial and both sexes defend the boundaries. A polygynous mating system is employed in this species.
Importance: They control the small invertebrate populations.