Also known as the giant plated lizard, these armored reptiles are scaled from head to tail tip, even on their eyelids.
Life of an African plated lizard
The African plated lizard is widespread throughout eastern and southeastern Africa. They live in rocky areas and prefer mild, warm temperatures. They are most active during the day but will burrow beneath the ground to avoid the sun when overheated.
These lengthy lizards can grow to be over two feet long and live up to 17 years. They are solitary and do not live in groups.
African plated lizards are omnivores, feasting on flowers, leaves and fruit as well as insects, spiders, scorpions and smaller lizards.
When threatened, they wedge themselves in rocky cracks and then fill their lungs with air, making it impossible to remove them from the crevice. They don’t bite, but they sometimes whip their tails to defend themselves.
African plated lizards at the zoo
Located in the Africa area.
