CORDYLIDAE

family of small to medium-sized lizards. They are restricted to southern and eastern Africa and Madagascar and include about 10 genera and more than 50 species, which have spiny or platelike protective scales covering the body. Most species are terrestrial with well-developed legs. Many are known to be insectivorous. The family is separated into two subfamiliesthe girdle-tailed lizards, which are viviparous, and the plated lizards, which are oviparous.