Watch the sighting here:
Kuno Stielau set up his camera to record this “double-kill” and sent his account to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while visiting Marakele National Park in South Africa’s Northwest Province.
Stage-fright
Kuno told Latest Sightings that he spotted the lizard – a male blue-headed tree agama – eyeing a hairy caterpillar. Incidentally, the caterpillar is likely that of a lappet moth.
However, he said, “It would not approach it whilst I was there so I set my camera to record on the tripod, and went for lunch.”
Eye on the prize
Having spotted the caterpillar moving across the root, the agama approached with interest.
You’ll note that it tilts its head left and right. This helps judge distance before he strikes.
Having decided that dinner was served, the agama grabbed the hapless caterpillar by the head.
Holding on for dear life
However, the caterpillar was not going to give up easily. Using its hind legs, it clung onto the bark for all that it was worth.
Consequently, the agama gradually took more and more of the caterpillar into its mouth. Inevitably, the caterpillar couldn’t hold on any longer.
As it let go, its elastic body catapulted into the lizard’s mouth…
But wait! There’s more!
With that, the agama turned tail and scuttled away to enjoy his meal.
Later, Kuno said, “When I looked at the footage, I noticed that a beetle… became part of the menu.”
The agama had noticed it too. Having consumed the caterpillar, he returned and gave the beetle – some kind of stink bug – the side-eye.
Would sir care for dessert?
With a name like ‘stink bug’ we can’t really comment on what they might taste like. However, the lizard obviously decided that it would make the ideal dessert.
In a flash, he grabbed the insect. Although it didn’t put up any resistance, the lizard had another challenge to deal with.
Unlike soft-skinned caterpillars, bugs have a hard outer layer, called an exoskeleton. Consequently, the agama spent quite a while chewing it.
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In due course, the agama got to its gooey insides and swallowed the whole lot in one gulp. With that, and a lick of his lips, his two-course meal was over.
Attractive agamas
Also known as the southern tree agama (Acanthocercus gregorii) these non-venomous lizards live in small colonies. They are commonly found in the forests, bushveld and rocky areas of South Africa. Agamas spend most of their lives in trees.
While females are drab greyish-brown in colour, males are more boldly marked.
Most strikingly, the head of the male turns bright blue during the breeding season. The tail is also blue, while the lower abdomen is yellow.
At this time, the males bob their heads, warding off competition and attempting to attract a mate.
After mating, the female lays up to 14 eggs in moist ground. These hatch after around 90 days and the young are independent from birth.
Agamas are ambush hunters. Well camouflaged, they remain stationary for extended periods until prey comes within striking distance.
They are insectivorous, feeding mainly on ants, termites, caterpillars, grasshoppers and beetles.
Kudos to Kuno for this fascinating sighting. As he remarked, “Looking at the smaller things often gives as much enjoyment, or even more, than the larger things. Anticipate what nature will do and set up for it.”