The Gerrhosauridae are a family of lizards native to Africa and Madagascar. They are close relatives of skinks and were once classified in the same family as them.[1]

Gerrhosauridae
Broadleysaurus major
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Infraorder: Scincomorpha
Clade: Cordyliformes
Family: Gerrhosauridae
Fitzinger, 1843

Habitat

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Also known as plated lizards, species in the family Gerrhosauridae live in a range of habitats, from rocky crevices to sand dunes.[1]

Description

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Their form is variable, some species having four fully developed limbs, and others having vestigial hind limbs only.[1]

Reproduction

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Most species are believed to be oviparous.[1]

Classification

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Family Gerrhosauridae

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Bauer AM [in French] (1998). Cogger HG, Zweifel RG (ed.). Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 161–162. ISBN 0-12-178560-2.

Further reading

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  • Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. Lacertidæ, Gerrhosauridæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I-XL. (Family "Gerrhosauridæ", pp. 119–120).
  • Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Family Gerrhosauridae, pp. 176–177).
  • Fitzinger L (1843). Systema Reptilium, Fasciculus Primus, Amblyglossae. Vienna: Braumüller & Seidel. 106 pp. + indices. ("Gerrhosauri", new family, p. 21). (in Latin).
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