Rough nosed-horned lizard

The rough-nosed horned lizard (Ceratophora aspera) is a small, ground-dwelling lizard that lives in the shady, leaf-covered floors of Sri Lanka's lowland and submontane rainforests. It prefers wet, well-shaded dipterocarp forests, including areas like Kitulgala, Kanneliya and Kottawa, usually below 900 meters in elevation. Often seen in pairs, this species is slow-moving and lays two soft-shelled eggs at a time, usually hidden within the forest litter.

This lizard is unique among its genus due to its rough rostral appendage, which is made up of more scales than just the rostral scale itself, giving it a distinct “horned” look. Its body is slightly compressed, and it has a hidden tympanum (ear opening) under the skin. A weak crest runs along the back of its neck, and it lacks a gular fold under the throat. The dorsal side of the head has an X-shaped ridge, and the body scales are small and regularly shaped.

In terms of appearance, males are usually dark brown or brick-red, while females may look similar or lighter in color. Some females show diamond-shaped markings or dark spots and stripes along the back. With their camouflaged colors and slow movements, they blend easily into the forest floor, making them a quiet but fascinating part of Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity.