Sekukhune flat lizard

About the Sekukhune flat lizard

The Sekukhune flat lizard (Platysaurus orientalis) is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa. It has two subspecies. Females and juveniles of P. orientalis have a black back with white stripes, as well as a white belly. Adult males have a green body, and a tail which is orange or red above, and yellow underneath. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 7.0–7.5 cm (2.8–3.0 in); the longest recorded SVL is 9.0 cm (3.5 in).

The Sekukhune flat lizard lives in a small area of savannah in South Africa in the Sekhukhuneland natural region. This includes the Mpumalanga Escarpment. Female Sekukhune flat lizards lay two eggs in a rock crack in early summer.

The diet of the Sekukhune flat lizard includes insects, including caterpillars. Two subspecies are recognized. P. o. orientalis V. FitzSimons, 1941 – Drakensberg mountains in Mpumalanga in South Africa. P. o. fitzsimonsi Loveridge, 1944 – eastern Sekhukhuneland.

The subspecific name, fitzsimonsi, is in honor of South African herpetologist (Mr.) Vivian Frederick Maynard FitzSimons.... Wikipedia →