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. |
For bibliography please refer to main Lacertidae page.
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