The Londolozi staff all love nature. Everyone living and working here is fascinated by its intricacies and the relationships it contains. Any time there’s a sighting – no matter how seemingly minor – within the camp or visible from camp, the radio will go, informing anyone who’s interested to make their way for a look.
A day or two ago, our Head of Procurement and Londolozi Sommelier, Kim Drake, called me to say she had found a tree agama laying eggs up in the village if I wanted to try and document it.
Of course I immediately grabbed a camera and rushed out the door.
The Agama had decided to build its nest on the main pathway straight through the village centre, right next to the Ubuntu hut; the meeting place for all village discussions and the centre of village life.
Although it might seem fairly reckless to lay your eggs on one of the most walked pathways in Londolozi (I thought so too!), remember: the eggs are ultimately buried, so stay safe underground.
The agama as we first saw her. Once committed to the egg laying she wouldn’t budge. No matter how many people walked past going about their lives, she stayed true to the task.
It was hard to get an accurate count of the eggs, but on average apparently eleven are laid in a clutch. There seemed to be about that number here.
As the name suggests, tree agamas lead a mainly arboreal life. Sharp claws are necessary for gripping onto tree bark.
She kept a beady eye on us all the while, making sure we kept our distance.
Some frantic scraping filled in the hole and buried the eggs. She would scrape with her left side then her right, then pause for about 20 seconds then repeat. The hole filled up incredibly quickly. With constant scraping and no rest I reckon it would have been filled in in less than 30 seconds.
When the job was done she basked in the sun to rest and regain her energy, then scuttled off into the grass, probably to find the closest tree.
Apparently females lay only a single clutch per year, so what we witnessed represents a serious investment for the agama.
I don’t know the exact incubation period for agama eggs but a general rule for lizards is well over a month and often closer to two. Come mid February we are going to have to watch our step on the village paths as hopefully there will be small agamas popping out of the ground, searching for the closest tree to climb…
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Amazing. Nature just do its own thing, regardless of who is around. Will be interesting to see the babies in a month or two.
Wonderful pictures, James and a lovely tale of the agama’s efforts.
This is the first time I have ever seen a tree agama, let alone see her laying eggs. What a wonderful sight and as you say James,they only lay a single clutch per year, it was something worthy to see. Thank you for those pictures and insight in the tree agama existence.
James, I saved the eggs🤗
cute…… It would be great if you manage to take pics of them!!!
Will you mark off the site to help insure successful development?
How interesting! Maybe she felt that place was safer for the hatchlings and a possible source of food?
YEESSS. Reptiles. They are such amazing creatures! Thank you so much for documenting this. Being on a pathway, would the ground not become too hard packed for the babies to be able to dig their way out?
Lizards . . . life . . . Londolozi. A bit of a paraphrase from Karen Blixen: “You know you are truly alive when you live (vicariously) in Africa (and Londolozi).”
will wait for a report on the babies in February! Victoria
Put a flag or something where her eggs are so no one kills them. I would also hope your always carefully about where you step, really care full about where u drive because of hidden cubs. I’ve seen video some drive so fast you’d never be able to stop for a hidden cubs. I actually seen a cheetah cub get killed this way. Please be careful there lives are way more important than your video or pay check.
James, This will fun to watch! Hope you get to see them hatching!
James, thanks for the information and images, documenting the egg laying of this little lizard. This just proves looking up, down and all around can yield a gift from nature.
I once watched a painted turtle lay eggs in a bank and it was a similar experience. I hope you spy the hatchlings when the times comes!
Fantastic luck to witness this. Thank you for sharing.
Fascinating! Thanks, James for sharing. Looking forward to mid February!
Thank you, James! A very interesting blog on a small and very interesting little lizard! Thank you very much. Wendy M
Hi James, Thank you for your blog about the agama. Very interesting!
So cool that you got to witness and capture this agama lizard laying and burying her eggs. Looking forward to a follow up post!
That is so amazing! Can’t believe she stayed on the main path. Hope we get to see some baby lizards in February!
Gosh what a great thing to witness! Hopefully there will b a follow-up when the little ones appear in month or so 😉🙏❤️
More new info for me and will excited to see baby lizards in a few months. Your images were great and told the story. We are all staying tuned!!
You’re always saying that animals and people are connected. Perhaps this agama sensed that it was safer for her to nest near people than in close proximity to various predators. Perhaps animals can also feel the positive energy of the people who protect them 🦎