Mul'ataa Agama
Within the scorching heat of the Shamsi Desert, a row of prismatic lizards line jagged wadis enscarpments, a colorful and statuesque display. These desert natives are a dramatic and showy species, bickering and competing for dominance when they aren't basking or hunting. Mul'ataa agama are scattered throughout the desert but also reside in cities and villages, skittering between scrub and rocks as they chase after insects and rodents. It's a wonder at all that they are capable of stealth given their boisterous behavior, their colorful bodies and their blatant basking.
At the slightest hint of a predator, such as a Paraa Falcon overhead or a lurking Wata Jackal, they are quick to camouflage themselves by matching the appearance of their surroundings via light magic. In order to make a meal out of mul'ataa, predators must catch them by surprise or rely on senses other than sight! Yet even then, there is one final danger--Emryl's Charge. While basking, mul'ataa slowly store up heat inside their little bodies, storing up dangerous amounts of energy which can be released all at once! The more heat they have stored up, the brighter their amber glow, a sight their predators have become wary of.
At the slightest hint of a predator, such as a Paraa Falcon overhead or a lurking Wata Jackal, they are quick to camouflage themselves by matching the appearance of their surroundings via light magic. In order to make a meal out of mul'ataa, predators must catch them by surprise or rely on senses other than sight! Yet even then, there is one final danger--Emryl's Charge. While basking, mul'ataa slowly store up heat inside their little bodies, storing up dangerous amounts of energy which can be released all at once! The more heat they have stored up, the brighter their amber glow, a sight their predators have become wary of.
Predator | Prey | Diurnal | Fast | Camouflage |
Kaithur
Emryl's Charge
By using Emryl's Charge, agama can absorb and store up heat inside their bodies. They can convert this to energy, strengthen their muscles or re-release it like an Aura at will. Most often used for chasing down prey or in self-defense.
By using Emryl's Charge, agama can absorb and store up heat inside their bodies. They can convert this to energy, strengthen their muscles or re-release it like an Aura at will. Most often used for chasing down prey or in self-defense.
Kalitho's Skin
Kalitho's Skin allows agama to emit light, any color in the electromagnetic spectrum, from their skin, controlling color and pigments freely. They can also imitate the appearance of their environment, becoming invisible with enough skill, or giving off bright and blinding flashes.
Anatomy
Original Ancestor | Lifespan | Weight |
|---|---|---|
Agama agama Rock Agama | 10-25 years | 2 lbs 1 kg |
Length |
|---|
13-18 cm 18-30 cm |
Coloration |
|---|
Most agama are naturally brown-black with a white underside and an olive green head. But one agama, the dominant male, is has a blue body, yellow tail and an orange head. Thanks to their Kaithur, agama can take on any colors they choose but will defer to their natural colors when they need to reinforce their hierarchy. In their magic form, they are naturally silver-white with an amber head. |
Habitat
Desert | Shrubland | Urban |
Rural | Montane | Savannah |
Grassland | Semi-Desert | Tropical Forest |
Agama thrive in arid conditions, active during all but the hottest hour of the day. They can live in urban, rural and wild areas so long as there are enough insects to eat. Their native range spans most of Kasar Wuta, the Shamsi Desert, Gaarreen Ho'aa and Nyasi za Rangi but can also be found in Kemet and parts of Sesli Plato.
Diet
Omnivore | Insectivore | Mammalivore | Herpetovore | Florivore | Graminivore | Frugivore |
Life Cycle
Oviparous | Polygynous | Precocial |
Only the head male of a territory is allowed to mate, females only responding to males presenting dominant colors. The male bobs his head at a receptive female and she might provoke him into a chase before they mate. Mul'ataa usually reproduce during the wet season, making their nests beneath foliage while avoiding open spaces. It isn't uncommon to find these nests in gardens! The females dig a 2 inch deep hole in wet, sandy soil, usually amid the roots of grass or sedge. She lays 5-7 eggs which hatch within 8-10 weeks.
The mother continues to monitor and attend to the nest daily, leaving it open to the sunlight in the day while covering it with plant matter at night. She might even move her eggs if the nest is compromised or a better location is available. The sex of her brood depends entirely on temperature, those kept at 84 F becoming male while those incubating at 79-81 F are female. Hatchlings measure at 1.5 inches (3.7 cm) with a 3 inch (7.5 cm) tail. After hatching, mul'ataa agama are totally on their own and independant, no further parental care provided. While still part of the larger group, they must hunt and forage for themselves. Females are mature at 14-18 months while males need two years.
The mother continues to monitor and attend to the nest daily, leaving it open to the sunlight in the day while covering it with plant matter at night. She might even move her eggs if the nest is compromised or a better location is available. The sex of her brood depends entirely on temperature, those kept at 84 F becoming male while those incubating at 79-81 F are female. Hatchlings measure at 1.5 inches (3.7 cm) with a 3 inch (7.5 cm) tail. After hatching, mul'ataa agama are totally on their own and independant, no further parental care provided. While still part of the larger group, they must hunt and forage for themselves. Females are mature at 14-18 months while males need two years.
Behavior
Gregarious | Territorial | Dominance | Communication | Agonistic |
These lizards live in small groups led by a single head male, males often squabbling for dominance. This single male leads a group of half a dozen females and subordinate males. Subordinates can only have their own group by defeating a head male or by establishing their own territory. They center this territory around an object, usually a tree, rock or boulder which they all gather on to bask. Males are extremely territorial of this object, even towards larger species, and agama are excellent climbers. The whole group can be seen basking here together between 10 am to noon, males taking the best spots first.
Because this species has such a strict social structure, they've developped a number of gestures and postures to communicate. Most of this consists of head or full body bobbing alongside use of their gular sac and ability to change color! The head male will often bob or nod his head to broadcast his position and he might make a threat display if he feels challenged, either when another male attempts to mate with one of his females or if they present dominant coloration. This display involves rapid bobbing of his head and body with his gular sac fully extended. The challenger will either back down and retreat or choose to stand their ground, giving their own challenge display. Both contenders will change their colors to dark brown heads and pale blue-gray gular sacs, charging at each other in several bluffs with their mouths agape. It is a very theatrical event! If neither male is willing to back down, they will turn and strike each other with their tails, often clamping onto their opponent's tail with a powerful bite!
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