Yellow Throated Plated Lizard
(Gerrhosaurus flavigularis)
Distribution
This species of Plated Lizard originates from rocky and semi-arid areas of South Africa as well as Malawi, Mozambique, N Zambia, Swaziland, O-Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, E Sudan and Botswana.
Previously 2 subspecies have been recognized, although both of these have recently been discarded and reclassified as one species.
Size
This species of plated lizard can reach adult sizes of 50cm (about 20 inches) in length. The average size is 40cm (16 inches). They are usually around 10cm (4”) in length as hatchlings.
Diet
In the wild this species of lizard eats a wide variety of insects, worms and overripe fruits.
In captivity a diet of well-fed crickets, African land snails (young), mealworms, locusts, earthworms, waxworms and spiders dusted with a calcium powder is essential and gut loaded prior to feeding to the lizard. They should also be offered fruits and salads twice a week as for a bit more variety in the diet.
Requirements- Heat Source – A guarded Ceramic heater or red/green reflector spot bulb is usually the best method of heating these should be guarded to prevent thermal burns from occurring. Care should be taken if heat mats are used as ventral infections and damage has been linked to their use.
- Ultra Violet Light Source: - Require a Reptisun 5.0 or 10.0 UVB light or similar. This should be positioned no more than 30 cm away from the basking lizard. This should be left on for 10 - 12 hours a day and replaced every six months unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer. This will create a day and night time effect as well as give your reptile sufficient levels of UV to allow vitamin D3 synthesis.
- Housing - This should consist of a dark wooden Vivarium with glass frontage and adequate ventilation. Hatchlings can be kept in a smaller container inside their future Vivarium. A Vivarium measuring around 120cm by 60cm by 60cm (4ft by 2ft by 2ft) is best for an individual or a pair of this species.
- Thermostat: - An essential part of any vivarium and is required to regulate the internal temperatures of the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
- Wire Mesh Guards: - These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent thermal burns.
- Thermometers: - One should be placed at each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat, as these are often inaccurate.
- Hides: - These are essential to prevent stress and allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. A box, plant pots, caves etc. all make excellent hides.
Water and Humidity
A large ceramic/earthenware dog bowl is best for these lizards as they are harder for them to tip over. This water should be changed daily as this is also the water they drink. It is also beneficial to mist the enclosure every few days with tepid water to maintain a good humidity level. A humid hide containing damp sphagnum moss should be provided in order to prevent disecdysis.
Temperature
A background temperature of 26 degrees Celsius is required. A basking area covering one third of the vivarium should be allowed to reach temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius. At night the temperature may be allowed to drop to 23 degrees Celsius, although this is not recommended if your snake is suffering from any respiratory infections.
Longevity
This species has been known to live to 12 years of age, although some may exceed this if the proper care is given.
Substrate
Large pieces of (Dust free and not pine or cedar) Bark Mulch can be used to good effect as long as the pieces are too large to avoid ingestion during feeding or feed your reptile in a separate feeding container. A deep layer is best as it gives this species chance to dig.
NB – Photograph taken from http://www.reptilica.de/shop/product_info.php/cPath/23_142_56/products_id/205/lang/english/
Distribution map will be added as soon as one is located.
Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts
Stuart Dodsworth –
stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society –
www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society –
www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information –
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Gerrhosaurus_SP_flavigularis']
http://www.honoluluzoo.org/yellow-throated_plated_lizard.htm
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.jungleshop.fr/article.php3%3Fid_article%3D26&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgerrhosaurus%2Bflavigularis%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D
www.reptilekeeper.co.uk
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