Published : 13 Aug 2026, 04:46 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:32 AM
A lizard with the red-and-blue colours of Spider-Man is not a creation of the internet. Several African agamas can display striking colours that closely resemble the superhero's famous suit.
The red-headed rock agama (Agama agama), also known as the common agama or rainbow lizard, is found across much of sub-Saharan Africa. While females, young lizards and non-dominant males generally have less vivid colours, dominant males can develop bright red or orange heads and necks against a blue body.
The colours play an important role in communication and reproduction. Dominant males use their appearance, body postures and movements to signal their status, attract females and warn rival males. They are territorial and may challenge rivals through displays such as head-bobbing.
Their colours can also change during aggressive encounters, linking their striking appearance to their behaviour.
However, another species is even more closely associated with the Spider-Man nickname.
The Mwanza flat-headed rock agama (Agama mwanzae) has males with a bright red or violet head, neck and shoulders and a dark blue body. Its colouring has earned it the popular nickname "Spider-Man lizard".
The two species can be confused because they look similar and belong to the same genus. The red-headed rock agama can certainly resemble the superhero, but the Mwanza flat-headed rock agama is the species more commonly known by the Spider-Man nickname.
Both species spend much of their time basking in the sun and searching for food, making their vivid colours especially noticeable.
So, while there is no actual superhero lizard with web-shooters, nature has produced a surprisingly convincing red-and-blue version.
