Giant plated lizard

Giant plated lizard
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Sauria
Family: Gerrhosauridae
Genus: Gerrhosaurus
Species: G. validus
Binomial name
Gerrhosaurus validus

The giant plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus validus) is a lizard of the Gerrhosauridae family, chiefly found in open, rocky, dry habitats in southern Africa.

Classification

Species Gerrhosaurus validus

Physical attributes

video of Gerrhosaurus validus in the Wuppertal, Germany zoo

A large lizard with a flattened head and body, its length is a maximum of 75 cm (29.5 in). The soles of the feet have black rubber-like balls, an adaptation to living on rock outcrops. It is called the plated lizard because of the platelike scales on the back.[1] This lizard is very shy and hard to approach. When threatened, it will jam itself into rock crevices (aided by its flattened body) and inflate with air, making it impossible to extricate it.

It is omnivorous, consuming a fair amount of plant matter in addition to insects and even baby tortoises. It also tends to form loose colonies.[2]

References

  1. Archived February 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. FitzSimons, V. 1943. The Lizards of Southern Africa.


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