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Spiny Crag Lizard
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(Endemic) SVL 80-85 mm; max SVL 89 mm male and female.
This small crag lizard has rough scales. The lateral scales are spiny and are not separated by granules, and there is a single row of elongate temporal scales. The nasals are in contact, separating the rostral an the frontonasal, which is undivided and small and does not touch the anterior loreals. There are usually 3-4 upper labials anterior to the subocular, and six lower labials. This species lacks occipitals. There are 3-5 femoral pores in both sexes. The back is dull brown, with pale, elongate spots forming irregular rows. The head is dark brown to black, with pale labials. The belly is pale brown. There is a pair of parallel grey stripes on the throat. Breeding males develop bright orange flanks and spots. Biology and breeding: Wary and difficult to approach (SA RDB, Restricted). Prefers scattered boulders in open grassland, where it feeds on small beetles, cockroaches etc. One to four babies are born in late summer. Habitat: Mountain stopes. Range: Lower stopes (1 500-2 500 m) of Drakensberg, from Giant's Castle in KwaZulu-Natal to Golden Gate in Free State.