| Ocellated flat lizard | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Cordylidae |
| Genus: | Platysaurus |
| Species: | P. ocellatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Platysaurus ocellatus | |
The ocellated flat lizard or Chimanimani flat lizard (Platysaurus ocellatus) is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is endemic to the Chimanimani Mountains of south eastern Zimbabwe and western Mozambique.
Ocellated flat lizards are similar to the Cape flat lizard. They have a flat body which is covered in granular scales and a flattened triangular shaped head. The tail is long and tapered with lateral spines. Females and juveniles are brown with white spots. The larger males are also brown, with a black head. The tail is orange-yellow underneath. Unlike other Platysaurus species the females and juveniles of the ocellated flat lizard do not have three lateral white stripes on the dorsum. [3]
The ocellated flat lizard lives in woodlands with quartzite rocks in the Chimanimani Mountains of eastern Zimbabwe and western Mozambique. [4]
Ocellated flat lizards eat beetles and plant matters (flowers, leaves, and seeds). They lay two eggs in October or November which are laid communally with other females within cracks in the rocks. [5] The compressed shape of their bodies allows them to shelter in cracks in rocks and other crevices. They are gregarious and can be seen in groups. However males engage in competition over space and access to females and display by exposing their brightly colored bellies by tilting sideways, or lift the head and shoulders up on stiffened front legs, showing off the bright colours of the throat and chest. [5] [3] [6] [7]
The ocellated flat lizard has a very restricted range and is classified as endangered in Mozambique. [8]
Platysaurus is a genus of lizards, commonly known as flat lizards for their flat backs, in the family Cordylidae.
The bokmakierie is a bushshrike. This family of passerine birds is closely related to the true shrikes in the family Laniidae, and was once included in that group. This species is endemic to southern Africa, mainly in South Africa and Namibia, with an isolated population in the mountains of eastern Zimbabwe and western Mozambique.
The Soutpansberg flat lizard is a species of lizard in the Cordylidae family.
The Waterberg flat lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is endemic to South Africa.
Platysaurus broadleyi, also known commonly as the Augrabies flat lizard and Broadley's flat lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.
The Cape flat lizard or Namaqua flat lizard is a lizard in the Cordylidae family found in Namibia and South Africa.
The dwarf flat lizard or lesser flat lizard is a lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is found in Southern Africa.
The emperor flat lizard or imperial flat lizard is a species of lizard in the Cordylidae family.
The common flat lizard is a species of lizard in the Cordylidae family. This lizard has 9 subspecies, all living in southern Africa.
The Lebombo flat lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae.
The spotted flat lizard is a lizard in the Cordylidae family, which is native to Mozambique.
Mitchell's flat lizard is a species of lizards in the family Cordylidae.
The orange-throated flat lizard is a species of lizard in the Cordylidae family.
The Sekukhune flat lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa. It has two subspecies.
The Pungwe flat lizard is a species of lizard in the Cordylidae family.
Platysaurus torquatus, the striped flat lizard or collared flat lizard, is a species of lizard in the Cordylidae family found in southeast Africa.
The Mozambique girdled lizard or flame-bellied armadillo lizard is a large, flattened, girdled lizard found on Mount Gorongosa in Mozambique and low elevations in the Chimanimani Mountains at the border of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It lives in rock outcrops in grasslands and dry, wooded mountain slopes.
The Rhodesian girdled lizard is one of three species of very flattened girdled lizards from Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. The other two species are Cordylus nyikae and Cordylus meculae. They are found living under stones in rock outcrops where they feed on small arthropods. Adults are 60–90 mm long from snout to vent. The tail length is approximately half the total length.
Van Dam's girdled lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.
Platysaurus attenboroughi is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is a small, spiny lizard found in Namibia.
