Sudan plated lizard also known as the great plated lizard or rough-scaled plated Lizard is a lizard

Lizard

Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...

 of the Gerrhosauridae

Gerrhosauridae

The Gerrhosauridae is a family of lizards native to Africa and Madagascar. Also known as plated lizards, they live in a range of habitats, from rocky crevices to sand dunes. Their form is variable, with some species having four fully developed limbs, and others with vestigial hind limbs only...

 family.

Physical description

The Sudan plated lizard is a fairly large lizard, adult size is 45–70 cm, whereof the tail is less than half the length. They are somewhat squat with moderately broad tails.

Being the most heavily plated of the Gerrhosaururidae, the species is easily recognised on the armour. The body and tail is covered in transverse bands of more or less square plate like scales

Reptile scales

Reptile skin is covered with scutes or scales which, along with other characteristics, distinguish reptiles from animals of other classes . Scales are made of keratin and are formed from the epidermis...

, and head shields are fused to the skull

Skull

The skull is a bony structure in the head of many animals that supports the structures of the face and forms a cavity for the brain.The skull is composed of two parts: the cranium and the mandible. A skull without a mandible is only a cranium. Animals that have skulls are called craniates...

. The armour makes the animals look a bit like the common perception of Mesozoic

Mesozoic

The Mesozoic era is an interval of geological time from about 250 million years ago to about 65 million years ago. It is often referred to as the age of reptiles because reptiles, namely dinosaurs, were the dominant terrestrial and marine vertebrates of the time...

 reptiles.

Coloration is grayish brown, males being larger than females with bright-coloured throat.

Ecology

The Sudan Plated lizard is a diurnal reptile. This means they are active mostly during the day and sleep at night. Their natural habitat is rocky desert . When threatened, they will run for cover and wedge themselves in rocky crevices. With their heavy armour, this makes them almost invulnerable to predators.

The Sudan Plated lizards are omnivores, living from a wide range of vegetable matter, insects and on occasion small vertebrate

Vertebrate

Vertebrates are animals that are members of the subphylum Vertebrata . Vertebrates are the largest group of chordates, with currently about 58,000 species described. Vertebrates include the jawless fishes, bony fishes, sharks and rays, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds...

s like other lizards and rodents.

Plated lizards as pets

Plated lizards are usually quite tame and docile as they tame quickly and are commonly traded in pet shops. Being omnivores they enjoy eating live crickets and other insects and small amounts of chopped fruits and vegetables e.g. lettuce, carrots and cucumber. Citrus fruit (e.g. orange) should be avoided. Some also treat their plated lizards with the occasional small pinkie mouse, depending on the size of the lizard.

These lizards grow to a length of 18"-28". They require at least a 50 gallon or larger terrarium and must have appropriate bedding and supplies. Their habitat must have a daytime temperature of 70-85 degrees F with a localized basking spot with temperatures ranging from 95-100 degrees F. The nighttime temperature must be maintained at 60-75 degrees F.

Classification

Species Gerrhosaurus major

• Gerrhosaurus major major
• Gerrhosaurus major bottegoi