giant plated lizard
{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Giant Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus validus) (11688565126).jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Matobosaurus
| species = validus
| authority= (A.Smith, 1849)
| synonyms = * Gerrhosaurus validus
}}
The giant plated lizard (Matobosaurus validus) is a lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae, which is found in dry to mesic habitats of southern Africa.{{cite web|url=http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Matobosaurus&species=validus|title= Matobosaurus validus|work=The Reptile Database|access-date=2007-12-30}} They are wary and stay close to their rocky retreats.{{cite book|last1=Pienaar|first1=U. de V.|title=The Reptile Fauna of the Kruger National Park|date=1978|publisher=National Parks Board of South Africa|isbn=0-86953-022-4|pages=92–94}}
Physical attributes
File:Giant Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus validus) close-up (11625270746).jpg
File:Wuppertal - Zoo - Gerrhosaurus validus 01 (0) ies.webm, Germany zoo]]
A large lizard with a flattened head and body with a total length of up to 69 cm (27 in){{cite web|url=https://www.sanbi.org/animal-of-the-week/giant-plated-lizard/|title=Giant plated lizard - SANBI|website=www.sanbi.org|date=20 May 2018 }} or even 75 cm (29.5 in){{Cite web|url=http://epicenabled.blogspot.com/2015/12/reptiles-found-in-kruger-giant-plated.html|title=Epic's Interactive Blog: Reptiles found in the Kruger - The giant plated lizard|website=epicenabled.blogspot.com|date=3 December 2015 }} 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.[http://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/reptiles/giant-plated-lizard/ ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228105450/http://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/reptiles/giant-plated-lizard/ |date=February 28, 2009 }} 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
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q3061063}}
Category:Articles containing video clips
Category:Reptiles described in 1849
Category:Taxa named by Andrew Smith (zoologist)
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