This mostly nondescript little ground lizard distinguishes itself by having a dark spot on the top of its head that gives it the alternate common name "Three-eyed Lizard". The dark spot does indeed seem to have some rudimentary light-sensing ability.

I don't remember why we briefly stopped at the side of the road here, on our way from Isalo to our next destination. Perhaps the driver was feeling the call of nature? In any case, we had a few minutes to stretch our legs. José and I quickly found our first and second Chalaradon madagascariensis of the trip in the red sand along the roadside.

Here is a list of all the reptiles and frogs I saw on this 2023 trip to Madagascar.

Chalarodon madagascariensis was abundant on the sunny paths of the Arboretum.

If possible, these lizards were even more abundant on the sandy ground and leaf litter of this spiny forest than they had been on the more sun-baked dirt of Arboretum d'Antsokay. Neither place suffered from a shortage.