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Description
The Sudan plated lizard is large and powerful, being able to reach a total length of up to 48-56 cm., but they usually grow up to 30-40 cm..
Rounded muzzle and large eyes give them a kind look. A longitudinal fold runs from the mandible to the hind legs on each flank.. The scales of the head are very rough. Dorsal scales, strongly faired, are distributed in 14-19 longitudinal rows and 31-33 Transverse, and the ventral in 10 longitudinal rows.
The soles of the feet are covered with weakly keeled scales. The back is light brown, the individual scales in the center are usually darker, on both sides there may be a clear longitudinal stripe between the back and flanks, as well as between the flanks and the belly. The chin and throat are cream to yellow in color, the belly ash gray to light brown
Life expectancy is 15 to 20 years.
Distribution and habitat
The range of this type of lizard is not limited to Sudan, as the name reflects. They inhabit dry savannas and rocky areas from Ghana in an easterly direction, passing through Nigeria and Sudan, to the east coast of Africa, and from Eritrea, passing through Somalia and Tanzania, southbound, to Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Although they are diurnal, hide in burrows or cracks when it's hot. Prefer holes in the ground, cracks in rocks and caves, to those who return immediately when they flee.
They like a dry and hot climate, around 30°C.
Breeding
The Sudan plated lizard buries its two to four soft-shelled eggs in warm, moist soil. The young hatch after about 4 months.
Diet
This Sudan plated lizard feeds on insects, spiders and small vertebrates. Mollusks, like the giant African snail and the great millipedes, They are also part of the varied menu. Plant food is not the main component of your diet, but they like to eat juicy fruit, as has been observed quite frequently in nature.
The Sudan plated lizard in captivity
How they are easily domesticated and relatively easy to maintain, the Sudan plated lizard is a very popular terrarium animal.
Terrarium
The Sudan plated lizard acclimatizes quickly in a large terrarium. To keep a pair or a trio, a terrarium of at least 150 x 60 x 60 cm.. It should be equipped with heat lamps and ultraviolet rays and furnished with roots, climbing branches and stone structures that animals prefer to use as resting places and hiding places, as well as a shallow bowl of water.
To increase the area of action, the rear and side walls can be covered with rock structures. Sand or a mixture of sand and clay is suitable as a substrate that must always be kept slightly moist.. The air temperature should be between 28-32°C during the day, locally up to 45°C, and reduce to 18-22°C at night.
Buy a “Giant Silver Lizard”
The price of a Sudan plated lizard in the exotic animal market ranges from 125 and 150 EUR.
Alternative names:
1. Western plated lizard, Great plated lizard, or Broadley’s rough-scaled plated lizard (English).
2. Broadleysaurus major (French).
3. Braune Schildechse, Riesenschildechse (German).
4. Lagarto ocidental, Lagarto grande ou Lagarto de Broadley (Portuguese).
5. Lagarto «acorazado» de Sudán (español).