Ctenophorus

Ctenophorus is a captivating genus of lizards often referred to as comb-bearing dragons. These lizards constitute the most diverse group of dragon lizards in Australia and are particularly prevalent in the country's arid regions. The genus includes various types, such as rock, crevice, ground, sand, and bicycle dragons, each named after the mythical dragon.

While sometimes confused with species from the Tympanocryptis and Diporiphora genera, Ctenophorus lizards possess distinctive characteristics. There are 32 recognized species within the Ctenophorus genus, each with its own unique name, such as the western heath dragon, ring-tailed bicycle-dragon, crested bicycle-dragon, and long-tailed sand-dragon, among others.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Ctenophorus lizards is their color polymorphism, which means that individuals within a population can exhibit different colors. This variation in coloration is believed to be influenced by both sexual and natural selection.