Derivation of scientific name :

The genus name is partly derived from the Ndebele word matobo meaning ‘bold heads’ in reference to the smooth surface of granite hills found in the Matobo (Matopo) Hills area in southern Zimbabwe where the species is common. The last part of the genus name ‘saurus’ is the Latin translation for the word ‘lizard’. The name ‘plated lizard’ comes from the bony plates found underneath the epidermis that encase the body in a bony body amour

Common names :

Giant plated lizard (English), reuse-pantserakkedis (Afrikaans), uxamu(isiZulu), chamu (siSwati)

The giant plated lizard is the second largest lizard species found in South Africa, after the monitor lizard, and they are known to attain a body length of approximately 690 mm. Giant plated lizards are rupicolous, which means that they live among rocky outcrops, mostly on the upper slopes of granite hills. Giant plated lizards are shy and hard to approach – an individual will often retreat into rock crevices at the slightest disturbance and inflate its body, effectively wedging itself into the crevice and making it very difficult for anything to dislodge it. They occur in most southern African countries including Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia. They are widespread and generally common in their natural range and no conservation actions are recommended.

Description

Giant plated lizards are large and are characterised by a flattened head and body profile. There are known to grow up to 690 mm in total body length. The back of the lizard is dark brown to black, with each head shield and dorsal scale spotted yellow, giving a speckled appearance; a pair of broad stripes is sometimes present along the back. The throat is dirty white, and the belly is light brown. During the breeding season, the chin, throat and sides of the head of the males become tinged with pink-purple.