Great plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus major)

Personal information
Great plated lizards have a short head, large eyes and a tail that is usually twice the length of its body. The legs appear delicate because they are smaller than other lizards, such as iguanas. This reptile has rough scales on its head. The scales on its back have pronounced keels, and the belly scales are arranged in ten rows. There are deep grooves that run the length of the body which are low on its sides and contain skin not covered with plated scales. These grooves function as expansion joints for breathing, for females carrying eggs, or for distension after a meal.

Status in the wild
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status: Unlisted.

Habitat
Ranges from eastern Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. Lives on rocky hills where sparse vegetation grows. They will hide in the cracks of the hills or between rocks.

Diet
Young lizards will eat fruits, leaves and other vegetation as well as insects, spiders and other small invertebrates. Older animals will eat small mice/rodents and commercial canned dog food.