Nucras lalandii
Nucras lalandii, also known commonly as Delalande's sandveld lizard, Delalande's spotted lizard, and Laland's lizard, is a species of wall lizard in the family of true lizards (Lacertidae). The species is native to Southern Africa.
| Nucras lalandii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Lacertidae |
| Genus: | Nucras |
| Species: | N. lalandii |
| Binomial name | |
| Nucras lalandii (Milne-Edwards, 1829) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Etymology
The specific name, lalandii, is in honor of French Naturalist Pierre Antoine Delalande.[3]
Geographic range
L. lalandii is found in Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa.[1][2]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of N. lalandii are grassland, shrubland, and savanna, at altitudes from sea level to 2,300 m (7,500 ft).[1]
Description
N. lalandii is a large and heavy-bodied species for its genus. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 7.5–9.5 cm (3.0–3.7 in), but can grow to slightly more than 10 cm (3.9 in) in SVL.[4]
Behavior
A terrestrial species, N. lalandii shelters under rocks or in burrows.[1]
Reproduction
N. lalandii is oviparous.[2] Clutch size is 3–9 eggs. Each egg measures on average 11 mm x 17.5 mm (0.43 in x 0.69 in). The eggs hatch in late January and early February. Each hatchling measures about 8 cm (3.1 in) in total length (including tail).[4]
References
- Burger, M.; Tolley, K.A. (2018). "Nucras lalandii ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T196991A115664719. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T196991A115664719.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- Nucras lalandii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 14 May 2019.
- Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Nucras lalandii, p. 68).
- Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Nucras lalandii, pp. 168–169 + Plate 61).
Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. Lacertidæ .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I–XL. (Nucras delalandii, new combination, pp. 53–54).
- Milne-Edward H (1829). "Recherches zoologiques pour servir à l'histoire des Lézards, extraites d'une Monographie de ce genre". Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Paris 16: 50–89 + Plates 5–8. (Lacerta lalandii, new species, p. 84 + Plate 5, figure 6; Pl. 7, fig. 6; Pl. 8, fig. 5). (in French and Latin).