Bocage (1896) described the species as follows: Dorsal scales keeled and mucronate, the median rows largest, disposed in longitudinal rows. The scales of the sides of the back intermixed with groups of, or single, enlarged more strongly mucronate scales, not forming longitudinal series. Head scales mostly keeled, occipital enlarged. Groups of short spines on the sides of the head and neck, no spines on either anterior or inferior margin of the ear. Nostril tubular (situated ?). Crests : A distinct nuchal crest, the dorsal crest replaced by the keels of the median row. Ventrals smaller than the dorsals, more or less keeled. Fingers : Third slightly longer than the fourth. Toes: Third slightly longer than the fourth, fifth extending as far as the first. Tail is twice the length of the body, caudal scales larger than the dorsals, keeled and mucronate. Coloration variable, uniform pale olive brown or more or less bright yellow, with transverse black bands, interrupted in the median line by a spot of the ground color.

No separate diagnostic description was provided. Refer to the morphological description.

Type locality: Angola; Holotype: ZMB 18149, "Bipindi", leg. ZenkeI [mehelyi]

This information was extracted from Tolley et al. (2023): Several comprehensive molecular phylogenetic studies have firmly established that A. anchietae is a distinct species, most closely related to A. atra (Matthee and Flemming, 2002; Swart et al., 2009; Leaché et al., 2009, 2014). In addition, three well-structured distinct populations have been identified, but further analysis is required before any taxonomic adjustments within A. anchietae are made (Nielsen, 2016)

Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, South Africa

This species has a very large distribution that extends from the northwestern part of South Africa northwards through Namibia and Angola to the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo (McLachlan, 1981; Visser, 1984; Branch, 1998). In South Africa, it occurs only in the Northern Cape province (Nielsen, 2016).

In general, lizards can sprint, crawl, climb, jump, and glide. When sprinting on four legs, lizards often move their fore feet diagonally in unison—the right fore foot with the left hand and the left fore foot with the right hand. The body's bent is simultaneously reversed. The shoulders, hips, and other joints in the legs as well as the bending of the back all contribute to moving the feet forward. Leg and back muscles work together to power running (Alexander, 2012).

Carnivore - Insectivore (insect-eating)

Achieta’s Agama feeds mainly on ants and termites, although beetles and grasshoppers are also taken. Coastal populations may also eat various intertidal arthropods (Branch, 1998).

This species is oviparous, with female laying 10-12 soft-shelled eggs in a hole that is dug in the ground (Branch, 1998).

The behavior is similar to that one of Southern rock agama (A atra), but it does not form dense colonies and it prefers bedrock and small rock piles (Branch, 1998).

Succulent Karoo, Desert, Nama-Karoo, Savanna