Madagascar girdled lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Madagascar girdled lizard |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gerrhosauridae |
| Genus: | Zonosaurus |
| Species: |
Z. madagascariensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Zonosaurus madagascariensis (Gray, 1831)
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| Synonyms | |
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Cicigna madagascariensis Gray, 1831 |
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The Madagascar girdled lizard is also known as the Madagascar plated lizard. Its scientific name is Zonosaurus madagascariensis. This lizard is part of the Gerrhosauridae family.
You can find this lizard in Madagascar and some nearby islands. These include Nosy Be and Grande Glorieuse. It also lives in the Seychelles, especially on Cosmoledo island.
These lizards are quite common. They live in many different places. You can find them in open forests and even in areas where forests have been changed by people. They also live in farm areas and open shrubland. The Madagascar girdled lizard can grow up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) long. It is an oviparous animal, which means it lays eggs.
Where Do Madagascar Lizards Come From?
The family of lizards that includes the Madagascar girdled lizard, called Gerrhosauridae, has relatives in Asia and South America. However, the lizards on Madagascar likely came from Africa. Scientists believe their ancestors might have floated across the ocean on natural rafts of plants.
On the island of Madagascar, there are two main groups of these plated lizards:
- Tracheloptychus: This group has two species. They live in the dry, southern parts of Madagascar.
- Zonosaurus: This group has 17 species, including the Madagascar girdled lizard. They live in most other parts of the island.
Scientists used to think that the Zonosaurus group was very closely related to the Tracheloptychus group. They studied their body shapes to figure this out.
Different Types of Madagascar Girdled Lizards
Sometimes, animals of the same species can have small differences depending on where they live. These are called subspecies.
Lizards from Cosmoledo and Grande Glorieuse islands are a special subspecies. They are known as Zonosaurus madagascariensis insulanus.
 | Roy Wilkins |
 | John Lewis |
 | Linda Carol Brown |
