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Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus spp.)

ReptileLizardAfrica

Plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus), an armoured African lizard with rows of rectangular scales.

Yellow-throated plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus flavigularis).

Image: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Plated lizards (genus Gerrhosaurus) are sturdy African lizards named for their armour: rows of large, rectangular, bony-backed scales (osteoderms) arranged in neat bands across the body, like overlapping plates. They are relatives of the girdled lizards, sharing the same heavy, protected build.

A signature feature is a prominent fold of soft, granular skin running along each flank. This lateral fold acts like an expansion joint, allowing the otherwise stiff, armoured body to swell — useful for breathing, processing a big meal, or carrying eggs.

Note: several plated-lizard species exist, from small grass-dwellers to the large giant plated lizard; details here describe the group broadly.

Habitat & Range

Plated lizards live in dry and semi-dry habitats across sub-Saharan Africa — savanna, grassland, scrub, and rocky outcrops. Many shelter in rock crevices, burrows, or termite mounds, retreating into cover when threatened, while some smaller species hide among grass and leaf litter.

Diet

Most plated lizards are omnivores. They eat a mix of insects and other invertebrates along with plant material such as leaves, flowers, and fruit, and larger species may take small vertebrates. They forage on the ground, using their strong jaws to handle hard-bodied prey and tough plants.

Behavior

Plated lizards are ground-dwelling and often tied to rocks. When alarmed, a rock-living plated lizard typically dashes into a crevice and wedges itself in tightly, inflating its body so that its armoured scales lock it in place and make it very hard to extract. They are most active in warm daylight hours, basking to raise their body temperature before foraging.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Plated lizards are harmless to people and are sometimes kept in the reptile trade. Several species are widespread and common, though some can be affected by habitat loss and collection. Consult the IUCN Red List for the status of a particular species.

More photos of the plated lizard

A plated lizard showing the deep fold of skin along its flank.

Black-lined plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus).

Image: Bernard DUPONT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Plated Lizard

Why is it called a plated lizard?
Because its body is covered in rows of large, rectangular scales reinforced with bone (osteoderms), arranged in regular bands that look like plates of armour. This protective covering gives the group its name.
What is the fold of skin along its side for?
The lateral fold is a stretch of soft, granular skin that runs along each flank. It acts as an expansion joint, letting the stiff, armoured body expand — for example to breathe, to accommodate a large meal, or to carry eggs.
Are plated lizards related to girdled lizards?
Yes. Plated lizards and girdled lizards are close relatives within the same broader group of armoured African lizards, and both rely on tough, bony scales and rock crevices for protection.
Are plated lizards dangerous?
No. Plated lizards are harmless to humans. They are not venomous and prefer to flee into a crevice and wedge themselves in rather than confront a threat.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.