Waterberg flat lizard
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(Endemic) SVL 60-65 mm; max SVL 73 mm.
A small platy in which the transparent ´window´in the lower eyelid is divided (entire in the south). The supranasals are fused with the nasals. The middle row of gulars is enlarged. The scales on the sides of the body are rounded, raised and larger than those on the back. The ventrals are mostly in 17-20 longitudinal rows. Scales on the heels and at the base of the tail are not spiny. Males have 16-20 femoral pores. The three longitudinal stripe which mark the body are always entire in females, and sometimes divided in males. Adult males lips are blue, the colour extending onto the side of the head, the neck and shoulders. A lateral orange-red streak runs between the limbs and extends onto the sides of the belly. The back and the upper parts of the limbs are brownish-black and marked with numerous small off-white spots. The tail is red-brown above, bright brick-red below. The chin and throat may be yellow to blue, becoming dark blue-black on the mid-belly. Biology and breeding : Usually occurs in small family groups. Feeds mainly on insects, although plants are taken occasionally. Two eggs are laid in summer. Habitat : Rocky sandstone outcrops in savannah at altitudes of 900-2000 m Range : Waterberg in N.Province, north to the foothills of Blouberg.