Gerrhosaurus flavigularis
The Yellow-throated Plated Lizard is a medium-sized (45cm total length, of which two-thirds are made up by the tail) and very graceful reptile occurring in all South Africa’s provinces, being absent only from the arid western and central parts of the country, and northwards to Ethiopia and Sudan. They’re a diurnal and burrowing species and live in a wide range of habitats, from high mountain grasslands to coastal forests, and are surprisingly common in many towns and cities. They are very quick and feed on quite a diverse menu of invertebrate prey. About a month after mating females lay clutches of 4-8 eggs in tunnels they dig beneath bushes or rocks, with the babies emerging in the late summer roughly three months later. Sadly some of them are traded as exotic pets as they tame easily.
DeWetsWild 
They are beautiful. Sad about the pet trade. I have not seen any around here but must keep more of an eye out for them.
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Would be great if you find one, or a few, in your garden, Carol!
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Just what I always wanted… a pet lizard. >grin<
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Sadly some people really do look at beautiful wild things like this and think only of “owning” it, John.
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Or killing it. >frown<
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So mooi. Interessante artikel, dankie Dries.
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Bly jy het dit geniet, Dina. Baie dankie!
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Too attractive for their own good.
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Aren’t we humans just so stupid for always wanting to “own” beautiful things?
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It is not one of our best traits, Dries.
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I must look out for one of these!
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The campsites in the Kruger seems to be particularly popular haunts for them, Anne – perhaps one will come visit next time you’re there!
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I’ve never seen a lizard with such long tail. It resembles a small snake. Good post, D. as always. 🙂
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And you’re as kind as always, thanks H.J!
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