Behavioural flexibility in foraging mode of the spotted sand lizard (Pedioplanis l. lineoocellata) seems to buffer negative impacts of savanna degradation

In this field experiment we investigate the impact of land use induced savanna degradation on movement behaviour of the spotted sand lizard (Pedioplanis l. lineoocellata) in the southern Kalahari. Foraging behaviour of lizards was tested in a factorial design (low vs. high prey availability) in degraded and non-degraded habitats.An interaction between habitat structure and prey availability affected movement behaviour. In degraded habitats with low prey availability and in non-degraded habitats with high prey availability the spotted sand lizard moved more like an active forager. In contrast, in degraded habitats with high prey availability and in non-degraded habitats with low prey availability lizards moved like sit-and-wait foragers. Interestingly, the behavioural flexibility of the spotted sand lizard seems to buffer extreme conditions and negative effects of land use impacts.

► Impacts of savannah degradation on behavioural flexibility of lizard foraging strategy.
► Experimental manipulation of habitat (vegetation and prey availability), full factorial design.
► Recording of lizard movement (e.g. moves per minute, % time spent moving, etc.).
► Habitat and prey availability interacted in their effects on foraging strategy.
► Behavioural flexibility of lizards seems to buffer negative effects of land use impacts.