LIZARDS AND TORTOISES 87 



When angry, crocodiles hiss like most other reptiles. 

 At other times they utter a low throaty noise, which is 

 seldom heard unless a night has to be spent close to 

 some of their favourite haunts, such as the reed-bordered 

 and swampy margin of some great lake or river. 



CHAPTER XII 

 LIZARDS AND TORTOISES 



THERE are two large lizards found in south Africa. 

 These are popularly described as " iguanas," though the 

 true iguanas are almost all confined to the new world. 



The larger of the two, known locally as the water 

 iguana, is found in reeds and rocks close to the water's 

 edge and, when disturbed, always seeks refuge in that 

 element. Though a strong swimmer and diver, it is 

 much less aquatic in habit than the crocodile, and ap- 

 parently leaves dry land only to seek safety or food. 

 I have seen skins of these lizards which measured, when 

 dry and shrivelled, over six feet long, but in the low 

 country of the Transvaal it is very seldom that individuals 

 measuring more than four feet are met with. The tail 

 is very long and tapering, and the body colours black, 

 yellow, and dark green. The teeth are slightly recurved, 

 not very long, but solid and sharp. The tongue is forked. 



When alarmed, the water iguana rushes swftly towards 

 the stream or pool, which is always close by, crashes 

 through the reeds and leaps into the water with a re- 

 sounding splash. It is thus often mistaken for a young 

 crocodile. Its food consists of fish, frogs, crabs, eggs, 

 and the young of birds and small mammals. It is not 

 a climber in the true sense of the word, but can [scramble 

 up sloping trunks in pursuit of prey. It is a dangerous 



