Agamidæ

Agamidæ, a family of squat-bodied, thick-tongued, terrestrial lizards, closely related to the Iguanas (q.v.). They frequent stony and sandy regions. Some measure a foot in length, but most of them are smaller. The skin is frequently beset with thorny scales. The Thorn-devil or Moloch of Australia, the smooth Egyptian form with loose inflatable skin and chameleon-like change of colour (Trapelus egyptiacus), the large Levantine Thorn-tailed Lizard (Stellio spinipes), and the Dabb of the Arabs (Uromastia spinipes), are common representatives of the family.