Habitat use and movement patterns in the graceful crag lizard, Pseudocordylus capensis

Abstract

We characterized the habitat use and movement patterns of adult male, adult female and juvenile Pseudocordylus capensis, a diurnal, rock-dwelling, insectivorous lizard. Rock use was vertically stratified: males spent most of their time at local high points, females at mid-level on the rocks, and juveniles were typically in the lower regions. Movement patterns varied with demographic class as well: juveniles moved more frequently and spent a greater proportion of their time in motion than did adults, and the number of moves of different durations varied among the classes. Finally, juveniles scanned their surroundings and appeared to feed more frequently than adults.

Key words: lizard, Pseudocordylus, habitat use, fynbos, behaviour.