Appearance: A number of agamids developed highly specialized adaptions like the genus Draco which is the only lizard genus that has evolved a gliding flight made possible by elongate ribs which support a flight skin. Chlamydosaurus has large frills and several genera show enlarged scales all over the body (e.g. Moloch) or all over the tail (like Uromastyx). In contrast to most lacertids, many agamids don't autotomize their tails. However, members of the genera Agama, Physignathus, and Laudakia have evolved intervertebral autotomy ans opposed to the commonly found intravertrebral autotomy found in other lizard families.
Femoral pores have been lost in the amphibolurine (sensu Macey et al., 2000) genera Chelosania, Moloch, and Hypsilurus, and all draconines and agamines.
Distribution: Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and several Indoaustralian islands.
Size: moderate-sized to large
Behavior: mostly diurnal and terrestrial.
Food: Insects and other small animals. Some species are partly herbivorous (plant-eating), e.g. Uromastyx. Moloch is also peculiar in that it feeds primarily on ants.
Reproduction: Most species are oviparous with the exception of Phrynocephalus which gives birth to living offspring.
Relationships: Agamas are related to iguanas and chameleons and these families have been included in the superfamily Iguania.
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