Karusasaurus comprises two small-scaled species, widely distributed throughout the semi-arid areas of South Africa and southern Namibia. There is an incredible degree of  variation in color of K.polyzonus; populations can be jet-black, brick red, turquoise or speckled, depending on locality. My friend and colleague Stuart Nielsen is currently working on a the phylogeography of the group and his preliminary results are fascinating!

 

Common names: Karusa lizards, Karoo girdled lizards.

Number of species: 2

Habitat: Rupicolous

Distribution: Wide ranging across Western South Africa and Namibia

Reproduction: viviparous (1- 3 offspring)

Diet: Insectivorous

Content:

K. jordani (Parker 1936)

K. polyzonus (Smith 1838)

Karusasaurus

Stanley et al. 2011