Giant plated lizard

The giant plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus validus) is a lizard of the Gerrhosauridae family, which is found in dry to mesic habitats of southern Africa. They are wary and stay close to their rocky retreats.[1]

Giant plated lizard
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gerrhosauridae
Genus: Gerrhosaurus
Species:
G. validus
Binomial name
Gerrhosaurus validus
A.Smith, 1849

Subspecies
  • Gerrhosaurus validus maltzahni
  • Gerrhosaurus validus validus

Physical attributes
Close-up of breeding male

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.[2] 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.[3]

References
  1. Pienaar, U. de V. (1978). The Reptile Fauna of the Kruger National Park. National Parks Board of South Africa. pp. 92–94. ISBN 0-86953-022-4.
  2. Archived February 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  3. FitzSimons, V. 1943. The Lizards of Southern Africa.


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