Added 10 October 2001: still under construction for several species entries. Last updated 11 October 2003: updated Meroles with details of characteristics for the genus and entries for all Meroles species.

SOUTH AFRICAN LACERTIDS

Australolacerta, Ichnotopis, Meroles, Nucras, Pedioplanis, Tropidosaurus


Introduction

It is an interesting anomaly that in southern Africa, separated from their European, North African and Asian brethren, exist eight genera of the Lacertidae. How this separation came about is still uncertain. Nor have these lizards greatly diverged in form from their more northerly relatives.

I am extremely indebted to Branch's Field Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa for the information on these African lacertids, and also to Rogner's book Echsen [Lizards] 2.

QUICK INDEX

Australolacerta, Rock Lizards Ichnotropis, Rough-Scaled Lizards Meroles, Desert Lizards
Nucras, Sandveld Lizards Pedioplanis, Sand Lizards Tropidosaura, Mountain Lizards


Australolacerta

Small genus of two species: formerly considered members of the genus Lacerta. These are attractive but rare and inaccessible lizards, both being listed in the South African Red Book as Restricted. Details below are taken from Branch.

Scientific Name Common Name Distribution Size Notes
Austrolacerta
A. australis Southern Rock Lizard S Africa (West Cape Fold mountains, Cedarberg to Worcester) 6-7" Little was known about this lizard until the seventies, as only one specimen was recovered between 1926 and 1973. Overall colour is olive brown (blue-green in juveniles) with grey-green tail and blue-white ventral surfaces and throat. The top of the head is black with yellow spots. There are rows of pale spots (white to yellow) that are orange on the flanks but fade to the rear of the body. The collar is pronounced. Ventral scale rows: 6.Scalation details: Subocular borders lip: lower eyelid is scaly. Femoral pores: 16-19. Dorsal scales: 67-68 rows of small granular and smooth scales in centre of body. Clutch size: up to 7.
A. rupicola Soutpansberg Rock Lizard S Africa (Soutpansberg in N. Transvaal) 5-6" A. rupicola is restricted to the Soutpansberg region of the N Transvaal, from Waterpoort to Lake Funduzi. It is a saxicolous lizard, dwelling among rock piles near mountain summits. Practically nothing is known of its reproductive biology. Dorsal colour is dark brown with two narrow red-brown vertebral stripes and a white dorsolateral stripe on either side extending from the eye to the base of the tail. The top of the head is red-brown. The collar is pronounced. Ventral scale rows: 6.Scalation details: Subocular borders lip: lower eyelid is scaly. Femoral pores: 15. Dorsal scales: 36 rows of small granular and smooth scales in centre of body.


Ichnotropis

This is another genus of lacertids leading unusually short lives: some species produce hatchlings that sexually mature within 5-8 months and die shortly after laying one or sometimes two clutches of eggs. Branch notes that in areas where the species I. capensis and I. squamulosa occur together, the life cycles of the two are staggered so that there is less competition for food. Ichnotropis lizards are distinguished by their rough head shields, large keeled overlapping scales on the back and lack of a lacertid "collar". They are also long-tailed. The lamellae beneath the toes are strongly keeled, and femoral pores are present. All are terrestrial savannah dwellers. The short lives of these lizards would seem to make them poor candidates for captivity.

Scientific Name Common Name Distribution Size Notes
Ichnotropis
Ichnotropis bivittatus Angolan Rough-Scaled Lizard S Tanzania, S Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire), Angola, Zambia 9-10" Slender and strikingly-coloured lacertid found in sandy open areas and sometimes woodlands. It is longer-lived than the "annual" Ichnotropis species. These lizards are active during the warmest part of the day [SKDA]. Scalation details (from SKDA): Frontonasal undivided. Prefrontal separated from supraciliaries by 1-2 rows of small scales. Subocular borders lip. Head shields strongly striated or keeled. Dorsal scales: enlarged, pointed, strongly keeled and overlapping, 34-40 rows at mid-body. Ventral scales : rounded, hexagonal, 8-10 longitudinal and 27-33 transverse rows. Other: 9-13 femoral pores: 18-24 lamellae below 4th toe. Coloration: fairly complicated, but dorsally brown to reddish, with alternating lateral narrow pale and broad coloured stripes, including a dorsoventral bright orange-red one between the limbs in breeding males. See SKDA for more details. Reproduction: no details yet available.
I. b. bivittatus
I. b. pallida
I. capensis Cape Rough-Scaled Lizard Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Republic of South Africa, N & S Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire): poss. Tanzania 4-6"? Short-lived (usually only 13-14 months) and narrow-headed lizard found in arid and mesic savannah. Branch casts doubt on the validity of the subspecies. Scalation details: 4 upper labials precede subocular which borders lip. Dorsal scales: large, strongly keeled and overlapping, 28-43 at midbody. Femoral pores: 9-14 on each side.
I. c. capensis
I. c. nigrescens
I. chapini ? Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire)   No data yet available.
I. grandiceps Caprivi Rough-Scaled Lizard Botswana, 7-8"? This appears to be one of the longer-lived Ichnotropis species, as both adults and juveniles have been collected together [Branch]. It is sympatric with the species I. capensis and I. squamulosa, but is rare and hard to find. It occurs in open woodland on hard limy soils or white sand [Branch]. Scalation details (from Branch): Frontonasal undivided. Subocular does not reach lip. Dorsal scales: strongly keeled, overlapping, 44-47 rows at mid-body. Other: 13 femoral pores. Coloration: overall pale grey-brown. Sides of head and ventrolateral sides are white stippled with grey. A dark broken dorsolateral band may be present, faint or absent: it extends from the neck to the groin and breaks up into a series of spots on the tail. Ventrally white. Reproduction: No details available.
I. microlepidota Marx's Rough-Scaled lizard Angola ?" No data yet available.
I. squamulosa (Common)/ Mozambique Rough-Scaled (Sand) Lizard Tanzania, Zambia, S Angola, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, N South Africa, Malawi 9" One of the larger species of the genus, and widely distributed. Although found in a variety of woodland habitats, these lizards prefer open clearings where they are active during the day. Diet is insectivorous, with termites especially favoured [Branch]. An interesting feature of the ecology of I. squamulosa is the sharing by several individuals of a branching burrow system, often dug beneath the base of a tree [SKDA]. The life of I. squamulosa is effectively less than two years (see Reproduction). Scalation details (from SKDA): Frontonasal divided longitudinally. Prefrontal separated from supraciliaries by 1-2 rows of small scales. Subocular does not reach lip. Supraoculars and supraciliaries separated by row of small scales. Head shields large. Most distinctive feature is concavity along the upper snout, bordered by two strong elongated keels. Another keel occurs beneath the eye. Dorsal scales: bluntly pointed, strongly keeled and overlapping, 46-58 [42-58 per Branch] rows at mid-body. Ventral scales : rounded, hexagonal, 10-12 longitudinal and 28-34 transverse rows. Other: 13-15 [11-18 per Branch] femoral pores: 18-20 lamellae below 4th toe. Coloration: overall sandy-brown with 2-5 longitudinal rows of whitish black-edged spots on each side. Some adults have a pair of thin dorsolateral beige stripes running from the occipital scales to the tailbase. Ventrally white to grey [Branch]. Juveniles usually have two whitish streaks on each side. Reproduction: Females lay 8-12 eggs, and die after laying 1-2 clutches. Sexual maturity is reached within 4-5 months. In southern Africa the eggs are laid in April-May but sometimes as late as July: the hatchlings do not appear until October-November owing to the cold temperatures of the winter. Those adults which mated in April-May die off between July and October of the following year [Branch].
I. tanganicana Tanzanian Rough-Scaled Lizard Tanzania (restricted to eastern bank of Lake Tanganyika) [See Notes] Known only from a single species described by G A Boulenger about a century ago: this was missing the tail and was possibly a subadult: somewhat similar to I. bivittatus [SKDA]. Scalation details (from SKDA): Frontonasal undivided. Prefrontal separated from supraciliaries by 1-2 rows of small scales. Subocular borders lip. Prefrontal contacts supraciliaries. Head shields weakly striated or keeled. Dorsal scales: enlarged, pointed, strongly keeled and overlapping, 36 rows at mid-body. Ventral scales : rounded, hexagonal, 8 longitudinal and 25 transverse rows. Other: 11-12 femoral pores: 19 lamellae below 4th toe.

Meroles - Desert Lizards

Smallish genus of desert-dwelling lacertids characterised as follows: fine, granular dorsal scales; well-developed collar; subocular does not touch lip; no window in lower eyelid; feet well developed, often with fringed toes; femoral pores usually present. Virtually all of the details concerned individual species have been taken from Branch.

Scientific Name Common Name Distribution Size Notes
Meroles
M. anchietae Shovel-Snouted Lizard W Namibia northwards as far as SW Angola. SVL 45-55 mm Formerly considered the separate species Aporosaurus anchietae, this species was assigned instead to the Meroles genus in 1989 (see the EMBL database entry for details). In appearance it is easily distinguished by its flattened snout, which has a sharp cutting edge. Found usually among sandhills; like some North African skink species, these lizards can swim deep into sand and at night sleep below its surface. (This may also account for the upwards-pointing nostrils). They can move rapidly across the sand due at least partly to the fringes on their toes. They are tolerant of high temperatures, up to 44 deg C: to avoid overheating, they perform a manouver of raising feet on opposing sides alternately (this is also seen in some other desert-dwelling lizard species). Diet consists of beetles, other small insects and, during dry periods, seeds. Click here and scroll down for a picture. Scalation details: nostrils pierced between 3 nasals; subocular does not border lip; lower eyelids scaly; collar and femoral pores are both lacking. Other: toes have obvious fringe of large scales: tail narrows rapidly from a wide base. Coloration: dorsally sand-coloured with a network of black marks that extends onto the flanks and limbs; head is paler with a silvery sheen; vertebral broken black stripe may extend as far back as the tail base; tail may have a few black crossbands. Ventrally white. Reproduction: Breeding seems to occur throughout the year, although peaks during December-March. Males are territorial and defend territories including up to 4-5 females. A single egg is laid in a chamber in a dune: females may lay 3-4 times per year. After good rains a clutch of 2 eggs may be laid. Hatchlings are relatively large. Females at least reach sexual maturity rapidly, in about 4-6 months: this may imply a shortish lifespan, in common with some other small lacertid species.
M. ctenodactylus Smith's Desert Lizard SW Namibia, S Africa (Little Namaqualand) SVL 70-90 mm One of the largest species in the genus, distinguishable by its size and flattened wedge-shaped snout. Habitat is vegetated coastal dunes and sandy plains. Behaviour is similar to that of M. anchietae, ie they use the sand as shelter for both escaping and sleeping. They are "sit-and-wait" predators, sheltering in vegetation. Scalation details: supranasals in contact; 78-92 scale rows at midbody; 22-26 rows of ventral plates; 27-38 femoral pores on each thigh. The ear is covered with a fold of skin. Coloration: variable. Dorsally may be greyish fawn, orange-brown or russet-brown, and is sometimes densely speckled with dark brown to black. Dorsolateral yellowish-white stripe with dark edges runs from ear to tail base; below this is another broad, greyish to dark-brown lateral stripe which may have white and yellow spots, and below this, a yellow lateral stripe. Limbs have large yellow-white spots; belly is white or pale yellow. Juveniles are orange-brown. Reproduction: approximately 6 eggs laid.
M. cuneirostris Wedge-Snouted Lizard SW Namibia (Richtersveld to Walvis Bay) SVL 45-58 mm The range of this species is south of that of M. reticulatus. Formerly considered a member of the (sub)genus Scapteira by some. Distinguishable by flattened wedge-shaped snout and conspicuous serrated fringe on toes. M. cuneirostris lives in sparsely vegetated desert and coastal dunes. It is a fast mover. Diet varies seasonally, mainly adult beetles in the summer and termites and other small insects in the winter. They hunt mainly in the cooler morning and evening. Branch notes an interesting aspect of their behaviour is waiting next to ant paths and robbing passing ants of their own insect prey. Scalation details: supranasals not in contact; nasals swollen; 90-110 scales rows at midbody; 24-30 ventral rows; 18-24 femoral pores on each thigh; ear opening covered with fold of skin. Coloration: overall, matches sand colour; dorsally greyish, sand-coloured or reddish-brown with pale spots (these may be absent) and dark flecks. The male dorsal pattern is more reticulated. Pale dorsolateral stripe runs from eye to tail. Lateral skin folds and upper lip may be orange. Belly is white. Reproduction: apparently no distinct breeding season. 2-4 eggs laid in soft sand up to 60cm below the surface.
M. knoxii Knox's Desert Lizard South Africa (W Cape province, Great Namaqualand) and adjacent SW Namibia SVL 55-68 mm Distinguished by rounded snout without sharp edge. Specimens from the Cape Peninsula are usually smaller. Habitat is usually coastal dunes or succulent karroid veld. They are active and diurnal fast movers, preying mainly on beetles and flies plus other small insects. Shelter is a burrow dug benath a bush or else under refuse. Scalation details: supranasals in contact; dorsal scales smooth in northern populations, weakly keeled in others, 54-78 rows at midbody; 10-12 ventral rows; 13-22 femoral pores on each thigh; ear openings lobed and visible; small fringe on toes. Coloration: variable; dorsally red-brown (paler in coastal populations) with dark dorsolateral stripe that may be broken into a series of partially white-edged black spots; flanks are grey with a series of yellowish or brownish spots or circles. Limbs may have numerous pale spots; belly is white or bluish-grey. Reproduction: breeding males are bright yellow on lower head, throat and anal region. Clutch size varies: the smaller lizards of the Cape Peninsula lay 2-3 eggs, larger lizards of Namaqualand may lay up to 6. Juveniles are dark brown to black with five white stripes and scattered white spots.
M. micropholidotus Small-Scaled Desert Lizard Namibia (coast desert north of Lüderitz) SVL 55-68 mm Characterised by flattened wedge-shaped snout and serrated fringe on toes. The common name derives from the dorsal scales, which are smooth and very small. The species lives in sparsely vegetated desert. Like some others of this genus, M. micropholidotus uses sand as cover for escape and when sleeping. Scalation details: supranasals in contact; nasals not swollen; dorsal scales in 126-138 rows at midbody; 24-28 ventral rows; 17-20 femoral pores on each thigh; ear opening covered with fold of skin. Coloration: dorsally light grey, with indistinct network of dark blue-grey which extends onto the limbs; belly is yellowish-white. Reproduction: no details available.
M. reticulatus Reticulated Desert Lizard C Namibia northwards to SW Angola SVL 45-55 mm The range of this species is confined to the coastal strip. In the past it has also been known as Scapteira reticulata or Eremias serripes: see EMBL database entry for details. It has a pointed snout with a weak edge along the upper lip. They live in sparsely vegetated coastal desert and forage for insects on sand dunes or on granite bedrock. With this species, not only sand but also rock flakes are used for cover or shelter. Branch notes that crows are reportedly a major predator. Scalation details: supranasals in contact; 50-56 dorsal scale rows at midbody; 16-18 ventral rows; 19-23 femoral pores on each thigh; ear openings are lobed and visible; toes have conspicuous serrated fringe. Coloration: dorsally grey to blue-grey, speaeckled with paler and darker greys that may form a dense network. Belly is white. Reproduction: no data available.
M. suborbitalis Spotted Desert Lizard S Africa (NW Cape province), S Namibia and Botswana SVL 55-71 mm The Botswana area of this species' range is confined to isolated pockets in the Namib desert. It is distinguished by a rounded snout that has no sharp edge on the upper lip. Habitat varies from arid savannah to desert: the lizards live on flat gravel or sandy plains with scattered bush. They are sit-and-wait predators, living on bees, beetles, grasshoppers and termites. Scalation details: supranasals not in contact; 60-75 dorsal scale rows at midbody; 12-14 ventral rows; 14-20 femoral pores on each thigh; ear opening lobed and visible; toes slightly fringed. Coloration: extremely variable, as a rule matching the ground colour of their environment. In the south of the range, the dark stripes of adults develop light brown centres with age and the back becomes grey-brown and covered with large pale spots that may form rows. Adults from the Namib desert are slate-coloured with a pinkish sheen and with irregular rows of dark pale-edged spots. The belly is creamy white or bluish. Reproduction: variable. In the Kalahari it takes place in early winter; females lay two clutches, each of 4-8 eggs, per season. In the central Namib desert it appears to continue throughout the year. Femles lay clutches of 3-7 eggs. Juveniles are dorsally pale yellow-white with four black stripes and a black network enclosing large pale spots on the limbs. As the young take up to three years to mature, this would imply that Meroles suborbitalis is a more long-lived animal than some of the other smaller lacertids.

Nucras - Sandveld Lizards

Also sometimes known (at least in the past) as "blunt-headed lacertids" or sometimes "Tiger lizards", this is considered to be a fairly primitive genus of lacertids (Grzimek). Branch notes that the scale counts may differ even among the same species and that identification of individual specimens is therefore usually based upon coloration and distribution instead. Many are active foragers. They usually dwell in savannah on sandy soil, although some may enter montane grassland or fynbos (Mediterranean-type vegetation)(Branch). Some species have notably bright-coloured tails which probably serve to divert the attention of a predator away from the head. Few have been seen in captivity and as usual there is little information on their reproductive biology or longevity.

The following characteristics are applicable to all species in the genus: rounded snout; cylindrical body; long tail; dorsal scales small, smooth and overlapping: subocular borders lip; lower eyelid scaly; each nostril pierced between 2-3 nasals and well separated from upper labials; toes lack fringe; collar is present.

Scientific Name Common Name Distribution Size Notes
Nucras
N. boulengeri Boulenger's Scrub Lizard Uganda, N Tanzania, Kenya, E & C Tanzania 6-7" Two subspecies, the nominate and N. b. kilosae. Click here for a picture.
N. caesicaudata Blue-Tailed Sandveld Lizard S Mozambique, SW Zimbabwe, NE South Africa 6-8" Easily distinguishable by electric blue tail. Little is known about its natural history, but it is suggested that these lizards only come out into the open during termite swarms (Branch). They appear to live in arid savannah on areas of deep sand. Click here for a photograph. Scalation details (from Branch): 6 enlarged plates under forearm. Dorsal scales: 40-54 rows at mid-body. Other: 14-15 femoral pores. Coloration: dorsally dark brown, with 7 thin cream stripes, 3 of which run onto the head. Limbs are lighter brown with cream blotches. Belly is pure white. Reproduction: no details yet available.
N. intertexta Spotted Sandveld Lizard Namibia, Botswana, S Zimbabwe, S Mozambique, N South Africa 9½-11" Striking looking lizard due to patterning and orange tail, somewhat similar in appearance to N. tessellata. This species lives in open dry savannah and prefers slower moving prey, feeding on spiders, scorpions and smaller lizards. Scalation details (from Branch): 4-7 enlarged plates under forearm. Dorsal scales: 34-56 rows at mid-body. Other: 11-15 femoral pores. Coloration: dorsally light- to reddish-brown, with a series of pale spots that may be black-edged or fuse to form irregular transverse bands. A pale vertebral stripe may also be present. Belly is cream white with dark spotting on the outer scale rows. The tail is completely orange-red. Juveniles are dorsally darker, with rows of cream spots. The sides of the neck are barred in yellow and the tail is red. Reproduction: females lay 2-8 eggs which hatch in February-March.
N. lalandii Delalande's Sandveld Lizard Southern and SE South Africa, Swaziland ?" See the EMBL database entry.
N. livida Karoo Sandveld Lizard S Namibia, South Africa ?" Formerly considered subspecies of N. tessellata: very similar in appearance and coloration [?]
N. ornata Ornate Sandveld Lizard   10" The taxonomic status of this species is currently uncertain. Click here for a photograph.
N. scalaris Sand Racer Angola ?"  
N. taeniolata Striped Sand Lizard South Africa (E Cape province), Swaziland, NE South Africa, E Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, N Namibia ?" Three subspecies: nominate, N. t. ornata and N. t. holubi. See the EMBL database entry.
N. tessellata Western Sandveld Lizard S Namibia, SW Botswana, South Africa ?" This is a striking lizard in appearance, having an overall colour of orange brown apart from the anterior sides and head, which have black stripes on white reminiscent of zebra camouflage. This patterning stretches a short way past the forelimbs. According to a scorpion website and Pianka, N. tessellata specialises in preying on scorpions. Eric Pianka also suggests that this species may actually avoid predators by being active during the midday heat.

Pedioplanis

This genus is characterised as follows: cylindrical body and long tail: subocular contacts lip: lower eyelid scaly or with transparent window: definite collar: dorsal scales usually small, smooth and not overlapping: keeled lamellae between toes: femoral pores.

Scientific Name Common Name Distribution Size Notes
Pedioplanis
P. benguellensis Angolan Sand Lizard SW Angola, N Namibia 8-12" ?
P. breviceps Short-Headed Sand Lizard NW Namibia 8-12" ?
P. burchelli Burchell's Sand Lizard SE S Africa, Lesotho 8-12" ?
P. gaerdesi Kaokoveld Sand Lizard NW Nambia 8-12" ?
P. husabensis Husab Sand Lizard Namibia 8-12" This species was first described in 1989: see EMBL database entry. Sympatric with P. undata but more predatory, feeding on small lizards. Found primarily in the central Namib desert.
P. inornata Plain Sand Lizard S. France, Iberia; NW African coast 8-12" ?
P. laticeps Cape Sand Lizard S. France, Iberia; NW African coast 8-12" ?
P. lineoocellata Spotted Sand Lizard SW Namibia, Botswana, N South Africa (not the east or SW Cape province) 8-12" There are three subspecies: P. l. lineoocellata, P. l. inocellata and P. l. pulchella.
P. namaquensis Spotted Sand Lizard S Angola, Namibia, Botswana, W South Africa 8-12" For a while considered part of the Eremias genus.
P. rubens Waterberg Sand Lizard Namibia (Great and Little Waterberg) 8-12" ?
P. undata Western Sand Lizard N & C Namibia, S Angola, S Namibia, S Africa (NW Cape province) 8-12" There are two subspecies, the nominate and P. u. inornata (considered by some to be a full species: see above).

Tropidosaura - Mountain Lizards

All four species of mountain lizard are fairly similar, and most have small ranges. They are fairly shy and difficult to catch. All lack a collar but have a gular fold, are somewhat cylindrical in shape and have rough overlapping scales. The following details for this genus were all taken from Branch.

Scientific Name Common Name Distribution Size Notes
Tropidosaura
T. cottrelli Cottrell's Mountain Lizard South Africa, Lesotho (Drakensberg) 7-8"? T. cottrelli is found among grass and heather within its range. For shelter it dugs a tunnel in deep soil. Scalation details (from Branch): Subocular borders lip. 1st upper labial separated from nostril. Neck scales small, smooth and granular. Dorsal scales: large, spiny and overlapping. Gular fold: well developed. Femoral pores: 11: two large preanal plates. Coloration: varies between Cape and Natal specimens. Cape specimens are overall brown with scattered black and orange scales, a lateral row of yellow or yellow-tipped scales, and a black yellow-edged stripe running from the neck to the lips. Tail is olive-brown with scattered dark brown scales and bluish-white below. The belly is bluish with large dark blotches on the scales. Natal specimens are overall brown-black with numerous blue and green spots that posteriorly form crossbands on the body and tail. Flanks are pale blue with a black stripe. Reproduction: no details yet available.
T. essexi Essex's Mountain Lizard South Africa (SW Natal), NE Lesotho 6"? Shy lizard similar in appearance to T. montana. It lives in rocky mountain grassland, where it is found among thick vegetation along streams or at the base of rock faces. Scalation details (from Branch): Subocular borders lip. Neck scales small, smooth and granular. Dorsal scales: large, rhomboid, spiny and overlapping. Gular fold: well developed. Femoral pores: 7-11: single large preanal plate. Coloration: overall olive to olive-green with a single pale-edged dark vertebral stripe. Flanks have dark-edged dorsolateral and lateral stripes. Head is bluish-green, spotted with brown. Ventrally blue, usually with dark edges to the scales. Tail is blue-green. Reproduction: female lays 2 eggs in summer.
T. gularis Cape Mountain Lizard South Africa (southern Cape province, between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth) 6-7"? T. gularis is confined to fynbos-covered mountain summits on the Cape Fold mountains. They climb among boulders and rocks to pursue their prey, which somewhat unusually includes bees (as well as flies) that are attracted to the flowers around them. Scalation details (from Branch): Subocular borders lip. 1st upper labial enters nostril. Neck scales small, smooth and granular. Dorsal scales: large, spiny and overlapping. Gular fold: well developed. Femoral pores: 9-12: two large preanal plates. Coloration: overall dark- to olive-brown, usually with a pale olive-brown dorsal stripe: the scales are black-edged, giving a speckled appearance. Flanks have two lateral yellow-white stripes that may be faint or broken up into spots, with a row of yellow spots below. The tail is blue-grey in juveniles and females and pale olive with black flecks in adult males. Reproduction: in the breeding season, males become more pronounced in colour: the dorsal stripe becomes bright green, the yellow flank spots bright orange, and the head black with yellow spots. The female lays 4-8 eggs in November in a small chamber under a rock.
T. montani Common Mountain Lizard South Africa (S & /SW Cape province, S Natal, E Cape province) 5½-7"? T. montani is a smallish species with a long tail. By nature it is secretive and tends to be most active in the early morning or late afternoon. They are found on fynbos and montane grassland, where they often bask on vegetation. Diet is small insects. Scalation details (from Branch): Subocular borders lip. Neck scales keeled. Dorsal scales: large, spiny and overlapping. Gular fold: faint. Femoral pores: 5-8, dependent upon subspecies: single large preanal plate. Coloration: overall dark- to olive-brown, with a dark vertebral streak and greenish-white to yellowish dorsolateral stripe. Broken white stripe runs from upper lip onto flank: below this is a series of large pale yellow spots. Ventrum is greenish-white, often with large dark spots: these spots are also present on the underside of the tail. Reproduction: in the breeding season the yellow spots near the upper lip become orange and the tail becomes blue-green. The female lays 4-5 eggs in November which take about 33-34 days to hatch.
T. m. montana S & W Cape 6"? 7-8 femoral pores.
T. m. natalensis Kwa-Zulu-Natal Drakensburg foothills & adj. midlands (Branch) 6"? Comparatively longish head and frontal scale: 5 femoral pores.
T. m. rangeri E Cape 6"? Gular fold usually absent: 5-6 femoral pores.


For bibliography please refer to main Lacertidae page.


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