Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY OF IAUDAKIA TUBERCULATA: GRAY IN WESTERN HIMALAYA'S OF KASHMIR

Mehrai Bashir, Mustafa Shah and Ulfat Jan

Abstract

The studies of habitat preferences and activity patterns of Laudakia tuberculata: Gray were carried out in Western Himalayan areas of KashmirThe studies were carried out for a period of one year from Nov 2002to Nov 2003. The lizard preferred hilly areas with stone piles in which it took retreat as the lizard do not form holes of its own. The routine daily activities started late in the morning in spring and autumn and basked more frequently in these seasons. In summer season activity started early in the morning with a brief resting period in the middle of the day due to extreme hot conditions. Hot areas were more preferred than other areas as huge numbers were found at some sites of Teetwal area which is hotter than other areas of the habitat. The lizard hibernate every year during cold months from Nov to March, thus is an obligatory hibernator. Hot areas were more preferred than other areas as huge numbers were found at some sites of Teetwal area which is hotter than other areas of the habitat. The lizard hibernate every year during cold months from Nov to March, thus is an obligatory hibernator.