This Lizard is without doubt the most beautiful Lizard found in our Suburb of the Bluff and surrounding areas. They can often be seen sun bathing on a rock on hot summers days, or scurrying about in long grass after their prey.
The male lizards as pictured here, often have bright orange to red throats and even extending onto the face, however in some parts of the country the male of the species can even have a blue coloration. This coloring on the throat is often at its brightest during breeding season.
The females and Juveniles are much more bland looking, however still quite beautiful. These lizards grow to a maximum body size of about 15cm, with an equally long tail. Like a lot of other lizard species, they are able to shed their tails is self defense.
These lizards enjoy our hot weather here in Durban and thrive during the hot summer months, however they hibernate during the cooler winter months deep under the soil or under a rock.
I have known them to be quite territorial, returning to the same place to sleep every evening, usually within our compost heap or under a rock.
These lizards are active hunters, favoring long grass, where they actively hunt insects. Any insect they are able to swallow will be taken, I have even witnessed and epic battle between one of these lizards and a large locust. Unlike most other lizards in our country, these Plated Lizards will also substitute their diet with some plant and fruit matter. In the picture above, I witnessed this female lizard break off a piece of rotten paw-paw and proceed to swallow it.
These lizards lay soft shelled eggs in a burrow, usually in early summer. 2 to 8 eggs are laid in a single clutch.
These are very interesting lizards which not much is known about. Not much of their behavioral activities have been documented. They are well worth keeping around in your garden and become quite accustomed to humans in time, even allowing one to get close enough to photograph.
Please feel free to visit my Photography page for more pictures of God’s amazing little creatures found in and around the Bluff: www.facebook.com/WkDickPhotography
God Bless
Warren.K.Dick
