Black lined plated lizard

Introduction: The Black-Lined plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus) can be identified by a large, sturdy head and strong body. It lives in open bushveld and savannah, sharing rodent and meerkat burrows. It is a shy and elusive creature, not particularly brave as it will dash into a burrow at the slightest hint of trouble or danger. Predators include snakes, small carnivores and birds of prey.

Distribution: Northern Namibia from Atlantic coast / Kunene River regions to Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip), south to Tsumkwe extending west to Etosha National Park.

Diet: Beetles and grasshoppers, but will on occasions eat snails.

Colouring: The back is reddish-brown and the belly is cream to yellow-white.

Breeding: Females lay between 4 and 9 eggs in disused rodent burrows with incubation taking 70 to 80 days.

Size: SVL 140 to 175mm. Max SVL 183mm.