Higher classification Platysaurus | Phylum Chordata Scientific name Platysaurus guttatus Rank Species | |
Similar Platysaurus, Waterberg flat lizard, Cape flat lizard, Sekukhune flat lizard, Soutpansberg flat lizard | ||
The Dwarf Flat Lizard is a lizard in the Cordylidae family.
Contents
Description
Females and juveniles have a dark brown back with three thin, broken-up pale stripes and several pale spots between these stripes. The throat is blue-white, while the chest and belly are white. Adult males are green to blue-green on their back, with numerous pale spots. On the head, there are three pale stripes, while on the tail, there is bright orange which is paler underneath. The throat is pale green with black speckles and has no collar. The chest is blue and the belly is darker blue. The sides are blue like the belly, but are green or blue when immature. When the underneath a tree they start to change colors.
Geography
This lizard lives in isolated populations in Limpopo, South Africa, which may extend into eastern Botswana. The Dwarf Flat Lizard lives in arid and mesic savannahs. This species also occurs with Platysaurus minor, the Waterberg Flat Lizard
Habits
The Dwarf Flat Lizard lives in small family groups and is very agile. Dwarf Flat Lizards lay two white eggs during October and December.