Lizards are an enourmously diverse group, with species that live in habitats extending from below ground to the treetops, from deserts to the ocean, and from the equator to the Arctic Circle. They form the largest group of reptiles with over 4 000 species. Many lizards are diurnal, brightly coloured, and use conspicuous visual displays in their social behaviour. These characters have made lizards familiar elements of the fauna and important subjects for behavioural and ecological studies. The legless species are often confused with snakes. South Africa is home to more than 200 lizard species, making it the richest country for lizard diversity in continental Africa. South African lizards belong to eight families.
The lizard species profiles were prepared by le Fras Mouton (Stellenbosch University).
List of families:
Chameleons
Agamids
Geckos
Lacertids
Monitors
Skinks
Plated Lizards
Cordylids
