Emperor Flat Lizard

Taxobox
name = Emperor Flat Lizard


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Cordylidae
genus = "Platysaurus"
species = P. imperator
binomial = "Platysaurus imperator"
binomial_authority = Broadley 1962 [Cite web | url = http://www.tigr.org/reptiles/search.php?submit=Search&genus=Platysaurus | title = Platysaurus taxonomy | work = The Reptile Database | accessdate = 2007-09-04] The Emperor Flat Lizard is a species of lizard in the Cordylidae family.

Description

Females and juveniles are black and have three light cream stripes, which are yellow on the head, running down the lizard's back. The middle stripe is narrow and broken near the rear, and the tail is straw-colored. The throat is white, while the belly is mainly black. Adult males have a yellow head and a dark red body with several large, whitish spots anteriorly. These pale sots are yellowish near the tail. The limbs are black, while the throat is dark red with a thick black collar. The chest is reddish or yellowish while the tail is orange to light yellow below. Like the females and juveniles, the belly is black.

This Platysaurus is the largest of its kind, with males reaching 146 mm. The Common Flat Lizard, Platysaurus intermedius, is closely related, but the Emperor Flat Lizard is easily distinguishable by its large size and striking colors.

Geography

The Emperor Flat Lizard's range is northeastern Zimbabwe and the adjacent part of Mozambique. Its habitat is mesic savannah. These lizards will often live on top of boulders on hills.

Habits

A large male Emperor's Flat Lizard and several attendant females command the tops of huge boulders on hills, where they feed on beetles, grubs, and ants. Emperor's Flat Lizards have been documented living up to fourteen years.

Breeding

Clutches of two eggs are laid in the summer. These eggs are large, with dimensions of 27 mm long by 12 mm wide.

Conservation

Emperor Flat Lizards are threatened by over collecting for the pet trade.

ee also

*Platysaurus
*Cordylidae

References

External links

* [http://www.tallbo.com/platysaurus/p_imperator.htm More Information]