Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi


Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi, commonly known as Fitzsimons' long-tailed seps and FitzSimons' whip lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to South Africa.

Etymology

The specific name, fitzsimonsi, is in honour of Irish-born South African herpetologist Frederick William FitzSimons.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of T. fitzsimonsi are grassland and shrubland.

Description

T. fitzsimonsi has no front legs. Its hind legs are minute, with only one toe on each foot. Adults may attain a snout-to-vent length of about and a total length of about.

Reproduction

T. fitzsimonsi is oviparous. A clutch of 2–5 eggs is laid in a live ant nest ''. Communal nesting has been observed. Each egg measures about. Each hatchling has a total length of about.