Movement Path Characteristics for the Kalahari Desert Lizard (Pedioplanis namaquensis)

Through path analysis, most commonly applied to large animals moving long distances, we evaluated space use of Kalahari Desert lizards. We used sequences of locations to calculate step lengths and turn angles, revealing directed movement towards a central location. Consistent with homing, individuals moved < 30 m from their origin, progressing towards their start before venturing away. We illustrate that fine-scale behavioural resolution can be obtained through movement paths, which can be invisible when applying common metrics focused on levels of movement (i.e., moves/min). Future research incorporating ecological data are needed to identify mechanisms underlying the movement patterns we document.