Madagascar girdled lizard

Madagascar - striping - Plated Lizard

The Madagascar - striping - Plated Lizard ( Zonosaurus madagascariensis ) is an endemic to Madagascar Schildechsen type. Synanthropic it is almost spread all over the island of Madagascar, with its area of ​​origin is no longer traceable here. From human spread, it also occurs on some Seychelles Islands. The species is not endangered.

The species was first described scientifically in 1831 by John Edward Gray, as Cicigna madagascariensis.

Since 1985, we divided the species in two subspecies, Zonosaurus madagascariensis madagascariensis (Madagascar, Seychelles) and Zonosaurus madagascariensis insulanus ( Glorioso and Cosmoledo Island ).

The animals are up to 35 cm long. The tail can be dropped at predetermined breaking points, but does not grow more after. Madagascar - striping - plated lizards reproduce ovipar continue building and grounds are approximately thirty eggs.

They are diurnal ground dwellers, but occasionally climb on rocks and tree stumps. Since they are insect hunters, their habitat is severely limited. They come from the rain forest until in open and dry landscapes. They are heat -loving and need to ambient temperatures of 25 to 35 ° C. At night, bury themselves in self-dug burrows in order not to fall below the temperature of 23 ° C. You need a relatively high humidity of 80% on average.