No Holds Barred - Slam! Dunk! Kapow! It’s a battle worthy of a televised boxing match. In Tal Chhapar, Rajasthan, male spiny-tailed lizards Saara hardwickii engage in a fierce showdown for dominance. During mating season, territorial males throw caution to the wind, vying for the attention of females in an intense, no-holds-barred fight. Biting, kicking, tail-lashing, and body slamming – nothing is off the table. Their target? The soft underbelly, where victory or defeat is often decided. These lizards’ thick, spiny tails, packed with caloric reserves, act as lifelines during lean months. But they also make them prime targets for predators. Even more perilous is their tail’s reputation as both an aphrodisiac and a cure-all in traditional medicine, sparking rampant poaching. As a result, Saara hardwickii has vanished from much of India, pushed to the brink of extinction. Pradyut Kumar Das brilliantly captured this high-stakes duel, earning second place in the prestigious Sanctuary Wildlife Photography contest for his stunning portrayal of nature’s raw intensity.
🎥 : Pradyut Kumar Das
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