The giant plated lizard (''Matobosaurus validus'') is a

lizard Lizard is the common name used for all Squamata, squamate reptiles other than snakes (and to a lesser extent amphisbaenians), encompassing over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most Island#Oceanic isla ...

in the family

Gerrhosauridae The Gerrhosauridae are a family of lizards native to Africa and Madagascar. They are close relatives of skinks and were once classified in the same family as them. Habitat Also known as plated lizards, species in the family Gerrhosauridae live ...

, which is found in dry to mesic habitats of southern Africa. They are wary and stay close to their rocky retreats.

Physical attributes

A large lizard with a flattened head and body with a total length of up to 69 cm (27 in) or even 75 cm (29.5 in) and a snout-vent length (SVL) of 28 cm (11 in). The soles of the feet have black rubber-like balls, an adaptation to living on rock outcrops. It is called the plated lizard because of the platelike scales on the back. This lizard is very shy and hard to approach. When threatened, it will jam itself into rock crevices (aided by its flattened body) and inflate with air, making it impossible to extricate it. It is omnivorous, consuming a fair amount of plant matter in addition to insects and even baby tortoises. It also tends to form loose colonies.FitzSimons, V. 1943. The Lizards of Southern Africa.

References

Matobosaurus Articles containing video clips Reptiles described in 1849 Taxa named by Andrew Smith (zoologist) {{lizard-stub