Black girdled lizard

Cordylus niger

The black girdled lizard, "Cordylus niger", is a medium-sized lizard restricted to Table Mountain on the Cape Peninsula and a second, isolated population near Langebaan.
Black girdled lizard (Cordylus niger) Cape Point, South Africa. Apr 11, 2016. Black girdled lizard,Cordylus niger,Fall,Geotagged,South Africa

Appearance

Their colour helps these unique lizards to absorb sufficient heat from the sun, in what is one of the darkest, least sunny parts of South Africa.
Simonstown, Black_Girdled_Lizard This was taken near Simonstown, South Africa in september 2016. Black Girdled Lizard,Black girdled lizard,Cordylus niger,Geotagged,Simonstown,South Africa,South Africa-2016,Spring

Habitat

Black girdled lizards inhabit rocky outcrops on Table Mountain, South Africa. Unlike many other lizard species in the area, these particular "Cordylus" lizards are not social and are usually seen alone. They are spiny, flat, and pitch black in colour.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyCordylidae
GenusCordylus
SpeciesC. niger
Photographed in
South Africa