They often stop, and doze for a minute or two, with closed eyes and hind legs spread out on the parched soil.
They inhabit burrows which they sometimes make between fragments of lava, but more generally on level patches of the soft sandstone-like tuff.

The holes do not appear to be very deep, and they enter the ground at a small angle; so that when walking over these lizard-warrens, the soil is constantly giving way, much to the annoyance of the tired walker.

This animal, when making its burrow, works alternately the opposite sides of its body.

One front leg for a short time scratches up the soil, and throws it towards the hind foot, which is well placed so as to heave it beyond the mouth of the hole.

That side of the body being tired, the other takes up the task, and so on alternately.