Plated Lizard
(Gerrhosaurus major)
Order: Squamata
Family: Cordylidae
Genus: Gerrhosaurus
Species: Gerrhosaurus major
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HABITAT AND RANGE:
Plated lizards are widely distributed in
the semi-arid steppes of eastern and
southeastern Africa. They live in
underground tunnels, which they will
sometimes share with a snake or
mongoose.
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The plated lizard gets its name from the
plating of the scales on its back. These
lizards may be anywhere from about 12 to
28 inches long, including the tail, and
are generally a yellow-brown color. They
have stocky, cylindrical bodies, but
their small legs give them a somewhat
delicate appearance.
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ADAPTATIONS:
Generally considered to be shy and
non-aggressive, plated lizards rarely
bite when threatened. Instead, they
prefer to use their whip-like tails as a
means of defense. If chased by a
predator, the plated lizard will run a
distance and suddenly halt, in order to
confuse its pursuer. The most commonly
used escape tactic is that the lizard
will wedge itself into a crevice and
“inflate” its body with air, so that it
cannot be pried out.
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DIET:
Plated lizards are omnivorous and will
eat insects and other invertebrates as
well as fruit, leaves, and other
vegetation. |
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REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT:
The female plated lizard usually lays
two but is able to lay up to four large
eggs in damp soil. After being laid, the
eggs take three to four months to hatch.
Hatchlings are 10-15 cm in length. |
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STATUS IN WILD:
Not listed as endangered |
