About Trachylepis margaritifera (Peters, 1854)
Trachylepis margaritifera, also known as T. margaritifera, is a medium-sized lizard that grows to approximately 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) in length. The species displays highly variable coloration that differs based on gender and age. Its scales are glossy and show metallic reflections. The base body color is most often olive-brown or dark brown, and individuals sometimes have pearly whitish spots along with three light yellow-orange longitudinal stripes that extend from the head all the way to the electric blue tail. These stripes often fade and become harder to distinguish in adult individuals. The head has a pointed snout and clearly visible ear openings, with a small number of black spots located just behind each ear opening. The legs are dark brown, short and strong, and have relatively long toes. The flanks of the body are primarily yellowish, while the underside of the body is whitish. This lizard is native to southern Africa, with a range extending from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa up to southern Malawi. Isolated populations of the species also live in central to southeastern Tanzania and southern Kenya, and it occurs exclusively in rocky, mountainous regions within these countries.
