(Cordylus giganteus)
Family: Girdled Lizards (Cordylidae)
Order: Squamates or Scaly Reptiles (Squamata)
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Giant Girdled Lizard
(Cordylus giganteus) Family: Girdled Lizards (Cordylidae) Order: Squamates or Scaly Reptiles (Squamata) |
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Other names: Sungazer. Size: Head + body up to 20,5 cm, total length up to 35-40 cm. Distribution: South African Republic (Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga). Habitat: The Giant Girdled Lizards are terrestrial, living in grassland or transitional zones, where they dig burrows in silty, fine soil. The burrows are usually 15-20 m apart, approximately 40 cm deep, and up to 3 m long. They end abruptly, without an enlarged chamber at the end. The entrance usually faces north or northwest to the sun. During the rainy season they may become flooded. Each burrow is occupied by a single lizard, although adults may share their burrow with juveniles. Three different species of frogs are known to hibernate in the burrows with the lizards. Food: A sit-and-wait ambusher, feeding mainly on invertebrates (beetles, grasshoppers, millipedes, termites, spiders), but also small vertebrates (e.g., rodents) are occasionally taken. Reproduction: Live-bearing, giving birth to only one or two young at a time, possibly only every 2-3 years. Activity and behaviour: Diurnal, often seen basking near the burrow or on a termite mound, seemingly staring at the sun, hence the common name "Sungazer". They hibernate during the winter and are rarely seen between May and mid-August. Enemies and defense: If a predator enters the burrow, the lizard will retreat with the tail facing the enemy, slashing it from side to side to prevent an attack. If grasped, it will try to jam the head spines into the roof of the burrow. Longevity: Compared to most other lizards, Giant Girdled Lizards are long-lived, being able to attain a lifespan of at least 20 years. Status: Declining, due to habitat destruction (maize and sunflower farming) and, to a lesser extent, collecting for the pet trade. Listed as Vulnerable in the South African Red Data Book (Branch 1988), and protected by law. References: Adolphs, K. 2006. Bibliotheca Cordyliformium. Neues Quellenverzeichnis der Gürtelschweife und Schildechsen (Reptilia, Cordylidae & Gerrhosauridae). Squamata Verlag, Sankt Augustin. 303 pp. Adolphs, K.; Troger, M. 1987. Lebensweise, Haltung und Zuchtproblematik des Riesengürtelschweifs Cordylus giganteus A. Smith, 1844. Herpetofauna (Weinstadt) 9(46): 28-33. Bates, M.F. 1992. Herpetofauna of the Orange Free State: an interim update on distribution. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 40: 42-45. Branch, W.R. (ed.). 1987. New herpetological distribution records in the western Cape Province. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 33: 29-31. Branch, W.R. (ed.). 1988. South African Red Data Book - reptiles and amphibians: a report of the Committee for Nature Conservation, National Programme for Ecosystem Research. South African National Scientific Programmes Report 151: 1-241. Branch, W.R. 1993. Southern African snakes and other reptiles: a photographic guide. New Holland, London. 144 pp. Branch, W.R. 1997. Biogeography of South African lizards. pp. 94-98. In: Wyk, J.H. van. (ed.). Proceedings of the FitzSimons Commemorative Symposium (South African lizards: 50 years of progress) and Third H.A.A. Symposium on African herpetology: held at the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, South Africa, 11-15 October. Herpetological Association of Africa, Matieland. 227 pp. Branch, W.R. 1998. Field guide to snakes and other reptiles of southern Africa. 3rd revised edition. Struik, Cape Town. 399 pp. Branch, W.R.; Patterson, R.W. 1975. Notes on the ecology of the giant girdled lizard, Cordylus giganteus. Journal of Herpetology 9(4): 364-366. FitzSimons, V.F.M. 1965. The Giant Girdled Lizard or Sungazer (Cordylus giganteus A. Smith). Fauna and Flora (Pretoria) 16: 29-32. Fogel, G. 2000. Observations on the giant sungazer lizard, Cordylus giganteus, in captivity. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 35(12): 277-280. Grathwohl, J. 2000. Afrikanske krybdyr i terrarium 1. Baeltehaleøgler (Cordylus). [African lizards in the terrarium 1. Girdled lizards (Cordylus)]. (In Danish, English summary). Nordisk Herpetologisk Forening 43(6): 154-160. Groenewald, G.H. 1992. The relocation of Cordylus giganteus in the Orange Free State, South Africa: pitfalls and their possible prevention. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 40: 72-77. Jacobsen, N.H.G.; Newbery, R.E.; Petersen, W. 1990. On the ecology and conservation status of Cordylus giganteus A. Smith in the Transvaal. South African Journal of Zoology 25(1): 61-66. Kilchenmann, W. 1977. Gürtelechsen. Aquaria (St. Gallen) 24(5): 87-90. Koch-Isenburg, L. 1977. Der Riesengürtelschweif Cordylus giganteus A. Smith aus Südafrika. Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein Darmstadt Bericht N.F. 1976(1): 4-5. Loveridge, A. 1944. Revision of the African lizards of the family Cordylidae. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 95: 1-118. Lynch, C.D. 1988. Occurrence of Squamata in termitaria in the Orange Free State, South Africa. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 34: 42-43. Marais, J. 1984. Notes on the giant girdled lizard Cordylus giganteus A. Smith. British Herpetological Society Bulletin 18: 30-33. McLachlan, G.R. 1986. Geographical distribution. Reptilia. Sauria. Cordylidae. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 32: 30. Mouton, P. le F.N. 1997. Family Cordylidae. pp. 19-23. In: Wyk, J.H. van. (ed.). Proceedings of the FitzSimons Commemorative Symposium (South African lizards: 50 years of progress) and Third H.A.A. Symposium on African herpetology: held at the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, South Africa, 11-15 October. Herpetological Association of Africa, Matieland. 227 pp. Patterson, R. 1987. Reptiles of southern Africa. C. Struik, Cape Town. 128 pp. Paulduro, E.; Krabbe-Paulduro, U. 1987. Ammerkungen zur Lebensweise, Haltung und Zuchtproblematik des Riesengürtelschweifs Cordylus giganteus A. Smith, 1844. Sauria (Berlin) 9(4): 9-17. Petersen, W.; Newbery, R.; Jacobsen, N. 1985. Cordylus giganteus is alive and well and living at Rietpoort. Fauna and Flora (Pretoria) 42: 26-29. Petzold, H.G. 1974. Cordylus giganteus, A. Smith, 1844, Riesengürtelschweif (Familie: Cordylidae, Gürtel- und Schildechsen). Aquarien und Terrarien (Leipzig) 21(5): 170-171. Schwier, H. 2007. Der Riesengürtelschweif Cordylus giganteus - einzigartig und mysterios zugleich. Reptilia (D) 12(3) 65: 40-44. Schwier, H. 2007. The giant girdled lizard extraordinary and mysterious: Cordylus giganteus. Reptilia (GB) 52: 33-37. Switak, K.H. 1981. Der Riesengürtelschweif oder Südafrikanische Sonnengucker Cordylus giganteus. Aquarium (Bornheim) 15(136): 537-541. Switak, K.H. 1993. Sonnengucker. DATZ (Die Aquarien- und Terrarien-Zeitschrift) 46(8): 504-507. Wyk, J.H. van. 1991. Biennial reproduction in the female viviparous lizard Cordylus giganteus. Amphibia-Reptilia 12(3): 329-342. Wyk, J.H. van. 1995. The male reproductive cycle of the lizard, Cordylus giganteus (Sauria: Cordylidae). Journal of Herpetology 29(4): 522-535. Wyk, J.H. van. 2000. Seasonal variation in stomach contents and diet composition in the large girdled lizard, Cordylus giganteus (Reptilia: Cordylidae) in the Highveld grasslands of the northeastern Free State, South Africa. African Zoology 35(1): 9-27. Wyk, J.H.; Swarts, C. 2002. Cordylus giganteus. Giant girdled lizard or sungazer. African Herp News 35: 16-17. Waal, S.W.P. de. 1982. A systematic survey of the Sauria and Serpentes (Reptilia) of the Orange Free State with special reference to their taxonomy. Zoological Society of Southern Africa Occasional Bulletin 2: 55. Text & layout: Rune Midtgaard |
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