Shovel-snouted lizard

The shovel-snouted lizard (Meroles anchietae), also known commonly as Anchieta's desert lizard, Anchieta's dune lizard and the Namib sand-diver, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to southern Africa.

Shovel-snouted lizard
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Lacertoidea
Family:	Lacertidae
Genus:	Meroles
Species:	M. anchietae
Binomial name
Meroles anchietae (Bocage, 1867)
Synonyms[2][3]
Pachyrhynchus anchietæ Bocage, 1867 Aporosaura anchietæ — Boulenger, 1887 Aporosaura anchietae — Loveridge, 1936 Meroles anchietae — Arnold, 1989

Etymology

The specific name, anchietae, is in honor of Portuguese naturalist José Alberto de Oliveira Anchieta, who was an explorer of Africa.^[4]

Geographic range

M. anchietae is found in Angola and Namibia.^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of M. anchietae is desert, with aeolian sand dunes and sparse vegetation, at altitudes from sea level to 500 m (1,600 ft).^[1]

Description

Adults of M. anchietae have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 5 cm (2.0 in). ^[5]

Diet

M. anchietae preys upon insects, especially small beetles. During dry periods when insects are scarce, it will eat seeds.^[5]

Reproduction

M. anchietae is oviparous.^[2]