Steppe Agama Trapelus sanguinolentus

The Steppe Agama is prevalent in the deserts and arid steppe of Kazakhstan, and probably elsewhere in Central Asia, although its relative, the similar Brilliant Ground Agama (T. agilis) also lives across the Middle East, northern India and elsewhere in Central Asia.

The Steppe Agama starts out like those above - well-camouflaged in its desert habitat. Breeding adult males later lose the markings.

The adult male develops a bright blue throat and flanks (above) in the breeding season. This is similar to the males of its African relative, the Desert Agama (T. mutabilis) .

The bright red-orange colouring shown above is likely to belong to breeding females. The Desert Agama of Africa is mentioned since its breeding female develops an orange head.

The photos of agamas in breeding colours further up this page, and one of the non-breeding, were taken by Alexandra Makhnina in the Kzylkum Desert of Kazakhstan. The other non-breeding (on the semi-desert/steppe of Kazakhstan) and those immediately above were taken by Elizabeth Barrett.