Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi friends,
I was curious about HL head-bobs.
Are they pretty much all the same between species?
Mine had a quick, short repeated bob, that would be initiated
when the parents saw each other, or after a short runto or from a place in their pen. I'd be interested to know. In all my years as a lizard keeper, I've noticed that pretty much all Mojave Desert Lizards (except the Chuckwalla and Desert Iguana) have a different kind of push-up or head-bob. Thanks for the time and help.

-Phil

The head bobbs are different between each species. They are also different depending on the purpose. For instance a non receptive female in some species will bobb very high than really low while turning to face the male like shes warning him. When receptive she bobbs back than turns her tail end towards him. Males in some species will do low rapid bobbs right before they mount. I get a kick out of watching it and was also thinking of doing a study about the various bobbs.

Hello Phil.

Kristine Tollestrup published a paper in 1981, THE SOCIAL BEHAVIORS AND DISPLAYS OF TWO SPECIES OF HORNED LIZARDS, Phrynosoma platyrhinos and Phrynosoma coronatum. It was published in Herpetologica. It is a fine article addressing the behaviors of head-bobbing and displays. I have video taped the behaviors in my captive study group and study populations in the wild.

There are two or three other studies and publications on the behaviors that I cannot recall right off the top, but I will let you know the authors and publications as soon as I have some time to find them.

Lester G. Milroy III

You failed to address the question. The question was are all head bobbs the same for ALL species not for just coronatum and platyrhinos. I have not read any literature that compares the head bobbs for all the HL species. The head bobbs are different for the 11 species I have observed and also for specific interactions. If you know of a report that compares all the different head bobbs for all the species as well as their purpose please let me know and of course further study on the behaviors would be unnecessary.

I answered the question with the first reference that came to mind that was extensive. There are two or three other studies that address observed display behaviors for m'calli, modestum, and solare. The paper I refered to here is more than likely the best description for the HLs that Phil had direct contact with. Let us not nit-pic Jeff.

Lester G. Milroy III

Understood. In regard to your studies, have you noticed different head bobbs between males and females, receptive females and non receptive females, male to male confrontation as well as female to female confrontations in the CHL?

If I were Lester I would not take the time to answer you. You attack just about everything he says! What is your problem man?
Tom Greb

Posting on a forum doesn't take balls. If you've read through the forum you would realize who starts the personal attacks. I only have a problem when people try to put others beneath them and repress and govern their right to free speach. Lester is an intelligent individual and can stand up for himself "man".

was speaking for myself not him. I have had several conversations with him in the past and do not think he is egotistical at all. I follow this forum almost daily and his answers are honest and straight forward. If you do not like what he has to say dispute it in a proffessional manner and try to persuade people otherwise with facts instead of attacking him. He has been the backbone of this forum along time and he has proffessioal scientific data to back up what he says and is willing to share it. It is people like you that make people like Lester leave the forums. I have seen it in the past. I have visited these forums continually since they started. He has a lot of valuable information to share with others so please don't chase him off.

I see what your saying. I like having Lester on the forum and welcome his knowledge and criticisms as well. Debate and balance are what makes this country great (look at the democratic and republican parties). If you do not wish me to acknowledge and debate you Lester please shoot me an e-mail. Thanks and Cheers to All.