Gerrhosaurus flavigularis Wiegmann, 1828

Common Name and Habit

Gerrhosaurus flavigularis Wiegmann, 1828 is a ground-dwelling, burrowing lizard species.

Body Coloration

Most individuals are greenish-grey or brownish, with a yellow (and occasionally red) throat, and often have a narrow stripe running down each side of the body.

Body Armor

This species is heavily armored, with hard body plates and head shields that are fused to the skull.

Tail Length

Its tail typically makes up about two-thirds of its total body length.

Limb Structure

It has well-developed limbs, and its four five-toed feet are not specifically adapted for digging.

Mating Period

Mating for these lizards occurs during the summer.

Mating Season Male Coloration

During the mating season, male individuals' heads change color to red, yellow, or even pale light blue.

Formal Description Date

This species was first formally described in 1828 by Wiegmann.

Type Specimen Details

Wiegmann’s description was based on specimens held at the Natural History Museum in Berlin, which had been collected in South Africa by Ludwig Krebs.