The Madagascar Girdled Lizard (Zonosaurus madagascariensis) is a medium-sized reptile in the Gerrhosauridae family of lizards. It is also known as the Madagascar Plated Lizard.
The Madagascar Girdled Lizard is mainly brown but can be variable colours. It has rough scales of armour. It is broad with no distinct neck, and its tail is wide.
It grows to about 30 centimetres (12 inches) in length.
It is found in Madagascar and the Seychelles. It can live in a range of habitats, from open humid forests to plantations and shrublands.
It is diurnal, active during the day. It feeds on insects and small vertebrates, such as snails.
The Madagascar Girdled Lizard is oviparous. The female lays 4-8 eggs, which hatch after 4-6 months.
It lives for about 15 years.
Location of photographs: Parc Zoologique de Paris in Bois de Vincennes, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM