Sling Tailed Agama - Laudakia stellio cypriaca

[Analoguesat]

There I was wandering along a dirt track in western Cyprus last week. Looking at the stunning coastal scenery, when some movement caught my eye.

This little fellow sat most obligingly whilst I sneaked up to him with my pocket point & shoot and "shot" him

[rolf]

Ahh, that's a proper lizard.

[Analoguesat]

Yeah - and a big sod as well. - must have been getting on for half a meter from nose to the tip of his tail. Remarkably common as well - we saw several without even trying for them

[Analoguesat]

He was lucky - I only shot him with a camera - sadly there was evidence all over the wild places of shotgun cartridges - even where hunting is prohibited.

[rolf]

Unfortunately Cyprus is renowned for illegal hunting and trapping, great shame.

[Catherine]

What a fantastic creature, Ross!

'There I was wandering along a dirt track in western Cyprus last week..........'

- not that I'm jealous!

[Analoguesat]

Hehe. Seriously - if you like wild flowers Id recommend west Cyprus in early April - its not so hot you cant go and explore and the flowers are at their best. I'll stick some pics up in the next few days. Loads of orchids all over the place as well.

[Catherine]

I look forward to seeing them, Ross!

(Reminding herself to save up for that spring holiday suggested!)

[ladylouise62]

All you need to do is stick a cardboard spike on the back and you've got something that could have been cast in the 1960 film version of "The Lost World "