Shovel-snouted Lizard
Meroles anchietae
Silhouette: Gustav Mützel · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyLacertidae (Wall Lizards)
- GenusMeroles (Desert Lizards)
- SpeciesMeroles anchietae (Shovel-snouted Lizard)
About the Shovel-snouted Lizard
The shovel-snouted lizard (Meroles anchietae), also known commonly as Anchieta's desert lizard, Anchieta's dune lizard and the Namib sand-diver, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to southern Africa.
The specific name, anchietae, is in honor of Portuguese naturalist José Alberto de Oliveira Anchieta, who was an explorer of Africa. M. anchietae is found in Angola and Namibia. The preferred natural habitat of M. anchietae is desert, with aeolian sand dunes and sparse vegetation, at altitudes from sea level to 500 m (1,600 ft).
Adults of M. anchietae have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 5 cm (2.0 in). M. anchietae preys upon insects, especially small beetles, as well as fresh plants. Some individuals in the Namib Desert have been observed to eat seeds occasionally, while others consume seeds exclusively. Such seeds are typically eaten in their green, unripe phase, and could thus be considered a form of herbivory rather than granivory.
M. anchietae is oviparous. Arnold EN (1989). "Towards a phylogeny and biogeography... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Shovel-snouted Lizard in Namib-Naukluft National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Namib-Naukluft National Park
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Namib-Naukluft National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Shovel-snouted Lizard in Namib-Naukluft National Park?
About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Shovel-snouted Lizard sighting in Namib-Naukluft National Park, based on 164 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Shovel-snouted Lizard in Namib-Naukluft National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Shovel-snouted Lizard in Namib-Naukluft National Park in our monthly data.