AGAMIDAE

lizard family (suborder Sauria) composed of about 300 species in 30 or more genera. Agamids typically have scaly bodies, well-developed legs, and a moderately long tail; normal body size ranges from 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches), and the tail is 20 to 30 cm long, though the family varies widely. Agamids inhabit tropical rain and mountain forests as well as deserts and steppes throughout most of the Old World, but primarily in Australia, southern Asia, and Africa. There are both ground-dwelling and arboreal species. For more information on some important and interesting members, see agama, Chlamydosaurus (frilled lizard), Draco (flying lizard), and moloch.