Cape mountain lizard
A species of Southern african mountain lizards Scientific name : Tropidosaura gularis Genus : Southern african mountain lizards
Cape mountain lizard, A species of Southern african mountain lizards
Scientific name: Tropidosaura gularis
Genus: Southern african mountain lizards
Content
Description General Info
Photo By nicky , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
Tropidosaura gularis, the Cape mountain lizard or yellow-striped mountain lizard, is a species of lizard endemic to South Africa.
General Info
Lifespan
8-12 years
Diet
Cape mountain lizard is primarily insectivorous, exhibiting a strong predilection for small arthropods. Its diet encompasses a variety of invertebrates, specifically favoring beetles and spiders, according to its environmental availability.
Appearance
Cape mountain lizard is a small, sleek lizard with smooth, scaly skin. Its main coloration is a rich brown, accentuated with distinct black crossbands which can be found along the entire length of its body and tail. Males stand out with their blue throat patches, which are most notable during the breeding season. Unlike many other lizards, this species lacks any sort of crest or sensory fringes.
Behavior
Cape mountain lizard primarily exhibits solitude behaviors, spending much of its time high in rocky terrains for safety and easy access to diverse prey items. This species is ectothermic, utilizing the sun for body heat regulation. Defensive behaviors include moving into crevices or adopting a flattened stance to minimize visibility. Notably adapted for survival in its native high-altitude habitats, cape mountain lizard does not show any significant territorial behavior.
Population
Stable
Photo By nicky , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Wall lizards Species
Cape mountain lizard