Sudan Plated Lizard

Characteristics

A large stout grayish-brown lizard with transverse bands of squarish, plate-like, keeled scales, that have yellow spots on them. The lower eyelid is covered with small scales and there are rough scales on the head. Scales on the back have pronounced keels and the soles of the feet are covered with slightly keeled scales. The animals are yellow-brown on the upper surface; each scale is often dark-centered, creating a speckled to striped effect. The chin and throat are usually yellow or cream, and the underside is grey to light brown. They have large eyes. The tail is often twice the length of the body. They resemble skinks. Head shields are fused into the skull.

Species Specifics

Sexual Dimorphism. Males are larger than females with bright-colored throats.

Physical Characteristics

Ecology

Habitat

Savanna and steppe areas; Lives in burrows; It may dig these itself or use old termite nests. Sometimes will share its home with a dwarf mongoose or a snake. They also live in cracks in small rocky mounds.

Distribution

Savanna and steppe areas of eastern and southeastern Africa, from Ethiopia to South Africa and to Togo in the west.

Diet

Omnivore. Feeds on soft fruits and flowers, beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars and millipedes. Will eat smaller lizards as well.

Ecological Web

Plated lizards are an important link in the food chain. They are predators but in turn are preyed upon by many larger reptiles, carnivorous mammals and birds. Humans exploit these animals, hunting them for the pet trade, as they are difficult to breed in captivity and are often wild-caught. They have become a very popular pet.

Activity and Behavior

Activity Pattern

Behavior

Social Behavior

Large groups of these lizards can often be seen haring a common area in the wild, however they are not a particularly social animal. Such groups are only the result of sharing a site which has good potential for breeding and feeding, and is close to water.

Reproductive Behavior

Female usually lays 2 large eggs in moist soil, but have been known to lay up to 4. The eggs hatch after 3-4 months.

Offspring

The young are 10-15 cm. (3.9-5.5 inches) at hatching.

Conservation

Status

Not listed as endangered.

Historical

Current Threats

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