Big - eared roundhead

The big—eared roundhead is a typical inhabitant of sand dunes and poorly anchored sands with sparse vegetation. The range of the species is represented by a number of isolated populations in the eastern Caucasus, in the south of the Astrakhan region, in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, northwestern China, Iran and Afghanistan.
The big–eared roundhead is one of the largest representatives of the extensive genus of Roundhead. The length of its body together with the tail can reach 24 cm, it weighs about 40 grams. It differs from other roundheads in the folds of skin at the corners of the mouth, resembling ears, which they need to intimidate. These lizards can be very aggressive. In case of danger, they take shelter, sinking into the sand with rapid oscillatory movements of the trunk. If it is impossible to hide from persecution, the big-eared roundhead takes a characteristic intimidating pose and opens its mouth wide, straightens the skin folds with teeth edged at the edges, which are filled with blood. It gives the impression of one huge bright red mouth with protruding sharp teeth. The lizard hisses, quickly twists and unwinds its tail and usually jumps towards the enemy, sometimes using its teeth.
The big-eared roundhead feeds mainly on insects, primarily various beetles, straight-winged ants, termites, bedbugs, diptera, butterflies and caterpillars, wasps and bees, as well as spiders. Eats small lizards, sometimes feeds on the flowers of desert plants.
During the season, the female makes two clutches, which usually contain 2-6 eggs. The young reach puberty by the end of the second year of life. Life expectancy can be 5-8 years.