Imperial Flat Lizard / Emperor Flat Lizard

 

Description
Named after Latin imperator = emperor because of its great size and magnificent colouration. The largest member of the flat lizards. Females and juveniles are black and show yellow stripes on the back, males get a yellow or orange back and a striking orange tail. The most dominant male in a group has the brightest colours. A dominant male and several females usually command the tops of boulders, gneiss or other hills. Other males (so-called 'floaters') come by and may pair with the females, but are driven out of the territory in the end. 
These fast runners are very hardy, easy to keep, but unfortunately very shy. You need some time to get them used to your presence and show themselves. Controlled feeding with tweezers helps to reduce timidity. It's a pity that there is absolutely no usable literature about the husbandry of this genus, a good sign for negligence in the hobby.

 

Protection 
none

Adult Size 
males up to 32 cm, females up to 27 cm

Lifespan 
about 15 years

Distribution 
north-east Zimbabwe, Mozambique

Habitat 
rocky areas in savannah regions, even in higher elevations

 

Captive Care 
At least 120x60x60 cm WDH. Animals make use of height if you provide structures. Offer lots of rocks and crevices, keep at least one crevice humid, possibly by stuffing sphaghnum moss in between rock structures. Temperature 22–26 °C, sunny spot 40 °C, night temperature 18–20 °C, humidity 50–60 %. Daylight fluorescent lamps or LEDs, HQL or HQI spot, water bowl, feeding bowl for worms etc. Ground sand/clay mix or sod. Outdoor husbandry possible, but you need to protect them from rain and offer additional spot.

 

Food 
arthropods and larvae, small vertebrates, always add minerals and vitamins (e. g. Herpetal Complete)

 

Reproduction and Rearing :

Room given, even larger groups are possible. Lots of retreats and structures in cage help. Cooler period (2 months 15–16 °C) helpful. Females lay several clutches of only two large eggs (27x12 mm) in summer in a humid spot between rocks. Unfortunately I always found the eggs too late when they were already dry. Raise young ones separately and with lots of UV light.

 

Kaiserplattechse / giant platform :

 

General
type named after the Latin imperator  = emperor / ruler because of their size and appealing coloring. The largest type of flat-belt steels. Females and young animals are black with yellow stripes on the back, adult males have a bright yellow or orange back and tail coloring. The dominant male of a group has the brightest colors. Typically, one dominant male and several females inhabit a rock or a rock group. Other males (so-called floaters / sprinters) roam around and mate when they are not immediately expelled from the territory.
The animals are fast paced, actually easy to keep, but very timid. You have to get used to your own vision. Controlled feeding with tweezers can help with habituation. Unfortunately there is no useful literature on the whole species at all, a sign that they are neglected in terraristics. 

 

Protected status 
none 

size 
Males to 32 cm, females to 27 cm 

Life expectancy 
about 15 years 

Occurrence 
north-east Zimbabwe, Mozambique 

Habitat 
rocky landmarks in the savannah, even in higher locations