Plated lizards

This family is very closely allied to the Cordylidae, and many zoologists consider this a subfamily of the latter. Gerrhosaurids, too, are entirely restricted to Africa, including Madagascar. Unlike cordylids, gerrhosaurids are egg layers and they lack the flattened, triangular heads of armadillo lizards. Neither do they possess strongly spined tails. Eyelids and ear openings are present. All species have well-developed limbs with five digits. The skin contains osteoderms. The teeth are hollow at the base. The parasternum is absent. Several species are nearly limbless. If the tail is lost, it cannot be regrown. Most plated lizards get rather large--0.8-1.0 m / 2.6-3.1 feet overall length.