Common Rough-scaled Lizard
- Meroles squamulosa
- IUCN Status: Data Deficient
- Threat: unconfirmed
- Venom/Toxin: none
- Trend: unconfirmed
General Information
Meroles squamulosa is a species of African lizard originally placed in the genus Ichnotropis, however phylogenetic evidence moves this species to the genus Meroles. The species is commonly called the common rough-scaled lizard or savanna lizard.
Description
Common rough-scaled lizards are medium-sized lizards each with a small head, body, and a long tail. The frontonasal is divided and has small body scales in 42 to 58 rows at the midline. The backs of these lizards are brownish grey with narrow dark blotches and rows of pale spots.
Unlike the Ichnotropis species, M. squamulosus does not have subocular scales bordering the lip.
Reproduction
This lizard has a life expectancy of 8 to 9 months. The males have a symmetrical armatured hemipenes which only one is used at a time. The males and females have 11 to 18 femoral pores on each thigh of which pheramones are commonly excreted. The females lays 8 to 12 eggs around April or May and hatchlings appear from October through November. The long incubation period is due to the cold conditions of winter. Growth is rapid as these lizards reach sexual maturity in 4 to 5 months.
These lizards are insectivorous and actively hunt during the day feeding on termites, grasshoppers, beetles and other small insects. They seem to have a sympatric relationship with Ichnotropis capensis as their mating season alternates so they do not compete for the same resources.
Distribtion & Habitat
It is largely found in southern Africa. These lizards are terrestrial and found in the range of mesic savannah. The common rough-scaled lizard is medium in size and well distributed in parts of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola, Tanzania, and Zambia.
These lizards can be found in semi-arid, shrub savannas in Africa such as Ngamiland, Botswana. They dig branching burrows in the soft sand usually at the base of Acacia trees that may be shared with several individuals.
