Red-Headed Rock Agama from Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

The Agama is a lizard species that is pretty common across Africa. There are 37 sub species and I was lucky to see one of these colorful reptiles while I was on a game drive in Samburu National Reserve, North Kenya.


The Red-Headed Rock Agama (scientific name is Agama Agama), a sub-saharan species is also known as Common Agama or Rainbow Agama. The one that I saw was a male with a orange head and neck, a blue body and a nicely striped tail.


When I saw it, it was basking in the sun on a rock just before noon. It’s primary food is insects and mature males such as this one are territorial claiming small to medium patches of land which they defend against other males.