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. |
For bibliography please refer to main Lacertidae page.
Back to Lacertidae | Lizard Families | Main Lizards Page | Reptiles | Home Page