Bushveld Lizard
Heliobolus lugubris
Silhouette: Gustav Mützel · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyLacertidae (Wall Lizards)
- GenusHeliobolus
- SpeciesHeliobolus lugubris (Bushveld Lizard)
About the Bushveld Lizard
Heliobolus lugubris, also known commonly as the bushveld lizard, mourning racerunner, or the black and yellow sand lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is found in Southern Africa: southern Angola, Namibia, Botswana, southwestern Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique, and south-central to northern South Africa.
Juveniles of H. lugubris are black with light spots and move with a hunched gait, mimicking the appearance of Anthia ground beetles. This mimicry is thought to discourage predation, as the beetles spray formic acid as a defense mechanism and are thus less appealing targets for predators. This is one of very few recorded examples of a vertebrate mimicking an invertebrate.
Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Heliobolus lugubris, p. 161 + Plate 57). Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Bushveld Lizard in Namib-Naukluft National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Namib-Naukluft National Park
Wedge-snouted Desert Lizard
Meroles cuneirostris
Shovel-snouted Lizard
Meroles anchietae
Spotted Sand Lizard
Meroles suborbitalis
Namaqua Sand Lizard
Pedioplanis namaquensis
Plain Sand Lizard
Pedioplanis inornata
Bill’s Sand Lizard
Pedioplanis branchi
Reticulate Sand Lizard
Meroles reticulatus
Spotted Sand Lizard
Pedioplanis lineoocellata
Plain Sand Lizard
Pedioplanis undata
Short-headed Sandveld Lizard
Pedioplanis breviceps
Knox's Ocellated Sand Lizard
Meroles knoxii
Small-scaled Sand Lizard
Meroles micropholidotus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterberg Plateau Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 2 | Etosha National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 3 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Namib-Naukluft National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 5 | Gonarezhou National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 6 | Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 7 | Moremi Game Reserve | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 8 | Chobe National Park | 🇧🇼 Botswana |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Bushveld Lizard in Namib-Naukluft National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Bushveld Lizard sighting in Namib-Naukluft National Park, based on 8 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Bushveld Lizard in Namib-Naukluft National Park?
February has the highest sighting rate for Bushveld Lizard in Namib-Naukluft National Park in our monthly data.