Flat lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flat lizard |
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| Platysaurus imperator | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Cordylidae |
| Genus: | Platysaurus A. Smith, 1844 |
Meet the Platysaurus, a fascinating group of lizards! They are often called flat lizards because of their super flat bodies. These unique reptiles belong to a larger family of lizards called Cordylidae.
Contents
Where Do Flat Lizards Live?
Flat lizards are special because they only live in certain parts of southern Africa. You can find them in countries like Mozambique, Zimbabwe, eastern Botswana, southern Namibia, and in northern and western South Africa. They often live in small, separate groups.
What Do Flat Lizards Look Like?
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Flat lizards have a very special look! They are known for their flat bodies, which helps them hide in cracks and crevices. But there's another cool thing about them: boys and girls often look quite different!
Boys and Girls Look Different
This difference is called sexual dimorphism. Young flat lizards and female flat lizards usually have backs that are black or brown. They often have cool white stripes too. But the male flat lizards are much more colorful! They can have bright blues, oranges, and reds. Also, male flat lizards are usually a bit bigger than the females.
Discover Different Flat Lizard Species
Scientists have identified many different kinds of flat lizards. Each one has its own unique features! Here are some of the amazing species:
- Platysaurus attenboroughi – This is Attenborough's flat lizard, named after a famous naturalist. It was discovered in 2015.
- Platysaurus broadleyi – Also known as Broadley's flat lizard or the Augrabies flat lizard, found in 1997.
- Platysaurus capensis – The Cape flat lizard, first described in 1844.
- Platysaurus guttatus – This is the dwarf flat lizard, a smaller type, described in 1849.
- Platysaurus imperator – The impressive emperor flat lizard, identified in 1962.
- Platysaurus intermedius – Often called the common flat lizard, known since 1891.
- Platysaurus lebomboensis – The Lebombo flat lizard, discovered in 1994.
- Platysaurus maculatus – This is the spotted flat lizard, identified in 1965.
- Platysaurus minor – The Waterberg flat lizard, found in 1930.
- Platysaurus mitchelli – Mitchell's flat lizard, described in 1953.
- Platysaurus monotropis – The orange-throated flat lizard, also discovered in 1994.
- Platysaurus ocellatus – The ocellated flat lizard, identified in 1962.
- Platysaurus orientalis – The Sekukune flat lizard, found in 1941.
- Platysaurus pungweensis – The Pungwe flat lizard, described in 1959.
- Platysaurus relictus – The Soutpansberg flat lizard, identified in 1976.
- Platysaurus torquatus – This is the striped flat lizard, known since 1879.
Explore More About Lizards
Want to learn more about other amazing lizards? Check out these related topics:
- Cordylidae – This is the family that flat lizards belong to.
- Pseudocordylus – Another interesting group of lizards.
- Cordylus – Discover more about these spiny-tailed lizards.
