Pedioplanis breviceps (original) (raw)

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Species of lizard

Pedioplanis breviceps
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Pedioplanis
Species: P. breviceps
Binomial name
Pedioplanis breviceps(Sternfeld, 1911)
Synonyms[2]
Eremias breviceps Sternfeld, 1911 Mesalina brevicepsSzczerbak, 1989 Pedioplanis brevicepsMayer, 1989

Pedioplanis breviceps, known commonly as the short-headed sand lizard, the short-headed sandveld lizard, and Sternfeld's sand lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Namibia.[1][2]

P. breviceps is found in northwestern Namibia.[1][2]

The preferred natural habitat of P. breviceps is desert.[3]

P. breviceps is a small species for its genus. It has a short head, to which the specific name, breviceps, refers. Adults have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 4.5–5.5 cm (1.8–2.2 in). The lower eyelid is scaly and opaque, without a "window". There is sexual dimorphism in coloration: adult females and juveniles have distinct dark dorsal stripes, but adult males are uniformly brown dorsally.[3]

P. breviceps is oviparous.[2] An adult female may lay a clutch of 2–4 eggs. Each egg measures 11 mm (0.43 in) by 6 mm (0.24 in). Each hatchling has a total length (including tail) of 5–8 cm (2.0–3.1 in).[3]

  1. ^ a b c Bauer, A.M.; Becker, F. (2020). "Pedioplanis breviceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T197005A110221812. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T197005A110221812.en. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Pedioplanis breviceps at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 16 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b c 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. (Pedioplanis breviceps, pp. 170–171 + Plate 58).