Plated Lizard

PLATED LIZARD

"Keanu"
Plated Lizard

CLASSIFICATION

The species range in size from 40-70 cm (16-28"). Their powerfully-built bodies are only slightly flattened and are supported on relatively delicate-looking legs, much like our own Alligator lizards (Gerrhonotus). The neck is not well differentiated from the head. The tail is typically twice the length of the body.

Scales are evenly arrayed in lines down and around the body. Dorsal scales are keeled while the ventral scales are smooth; little overlapping. Colors are various shades of brown with some lighter longitudinal stripes. A fold of skin is generally noted running laterally along the length of the body - this allows for expansion.

RANGE
Native to southern and eastern Africa. There are six species found in dry, rocky semi-open habitats. Frequently found in termite mounds.

HABITAT
These lizards like to dig and are good swimmers and divers. They are very secretive and in captivity it is necessary to provide caves or slabs of bark for hiding and basking.

DIET
These omnivores eat a variety of small vertebrates and invertebrates as well as greens and small amounts of fruits such as worms, crickets, mouse pinkies, cantalouope, oranges and kale. The plateds become rather tame fairly quickly. While they appear cumbersome and slow, they are capable of very fast movement and, when acclimated, feed well and have been observed to steal food from larger lizards.

GESTATION
To breed, a winter dormancy period of 4-6 weeks is required. Plated lizards lay 2-6 eggs per clutch.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Obst, et al. Completely Illustrated Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Terrarium. 1988. TFH Publishing, Neptune City, NJ.

Wynne, Richard. Lizards in Captivity. T.F.H Publications Inc, 1981.