courtesy to :  www.cyberlizard.org.uk/gerrhosaurs2.html

Scientific Name : Z. maximus

Common Name : Giant Zonosaur
Distribution:Central eastern Madagascar along the rivers Faraony, Matitana, Mananara and Tolongoina

Size : 28"

Z. maximus is somewhat different in appearance from the other zonosaurs, being both considerably larger than the other species and also rather less colourful, being grey in background. Juveniles have a lighter colouring with some dark spots and yellow points: these grow darker and fade and disappear with age, especially among males (Rogner): the grey flanks and lower neck may be sprinkled with small dark spots. However, males can be distinguished by reddish or yellowish colouring on the lower flanks. The ventral area is greyish yellow and the throat may have dark flecks. An interesting aspect of Z. maximus is their adaptation to living near water: the tail is laterally flattened (rather like that of a crocodile), they are good swimmers and can remain underwater for some minutes, and they live in waterside burrows. In fact Rogner cites one source who notes that he never found any individuals further than 6ft (2 metres) from the water. However this does not apparently translate into an aquatic or even semi-aquatic setup in captivity. Rogner is quite clear about this: although he provided his captive Z. maximus lizards with a large basin of water, he reports that they only used it to drink from, and if he placed them in it they leapt out straight away. This is not unusual for captive reptiles who in the wild live near water: garter and ribbon snakes (Thamnophis species) usually live close to water but fare badly if kept too damp in their cages. Apart from this observation, Rogner recommends a large terrarium for one male and two females (140 x 80 x 80 cm, or about 4½' x 2½' x 2½') with a substrate of sand about 6" deep and a 'burrow' made of pieces of dried root and bark, etc. He placed the heat lamp above, and the heat cable below, this hiding place, turning them on with the daily photoperiod. He reports that in the evening the lizards would usual climb the Ficus benjamina in the cage and spend the night there. Other than that he recommends care as for Z. haraldmeieri and Z. karsteni, but notes that in contrast to these latter species, Z. maximus is active virtually all year round.