The display of male agama lizard is to?

Analyze the question The question asks about the purpose of the "display" of the male agama lizard (Agama agama). This is the familiar head-bobbing, or "push-up", behaviour, together with the bright colouring of the head (orange or red) and body (blue or purple).

Explain the concept In many animals, the males show off through colour, movement, or sound. This is called courtship or territorial display. It serves two main purposes:

1. To attract females for mating.
2. To warn rival males to stay out of the territory.

The male agama has a bright orange-red head and a blue-grey body during the breeding season. He nods his head up and down, doing "push-ups", to show he is a strong, healthy mate.

Go through the options

• A. Scare predators: Wrong. Predator defence in lizards relies on camouflage, running away, or dropping the tail, not the colourful display.
• B. Regulate body temperature: Wrong. Agamas do this by basking in the sun and moving between sun and shade, which is a different behaviour.
• C. Attract female for mate: Correct. The display is a sexual signal to female agamas.
• D. Give invite to intruders: Wrong. The display actually warns intruders (rival males) away. It does not invite them.

Answer: C. attract female for mate

Exam tip In JAMB Biology, whenever you see "display" with "male" in the question, think of courtship and mating (like the peacock's feathers or the cockerel's crowing). Territorial defence is the secondary meaning, and "invite intruders" will never be the answer.