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 |
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. |
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.
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. |
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. |
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). |
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.
For bibliography please refer to main Lacertidae page.
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