European green lizard

Taxobox
name = European Green Lizard
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down

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image_width = 250px
image_caption = European green lizard ("Lacerta viridis")
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Sauria
familia = Lacertidae
genus = Lacerta
species = "L. viridis"
binomial = "Lacerta viridis"
binomial_authority = Laurenti, 1768
range_

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range_map_caption = European green lizard is in blue
(Western Green Lizard is in green)

The European Green Lizard ("Lacerta viridis") is a large lizard distributed across mid European latitudes from the north of the Iberian peninsula to as far east as Ukraine. It is often to be seen sunning itself on rocks or lawns, or sheltering amongst bushes.

Description

The lizard reaches a length of approximately 12 cm length from the tip of the muzzle to the cloaca. The tail can be up to twice the length of the body. This lizard sheds its tail (autotomy), to evade the grasp of a predator.

Males have a larger head and a uniform green colouring punctuated with small spots that are more pronounced upon its back. The throat is bluish in the adult males and to a lesser extent in the females.

The female is more slender than the male and has a more uniform coloration, often displaying between two and four light bands bordered by black spots.

It feeds on insects, small lizards and even mice. In springtime the female lays 6 to 20 eggs. About 2 to 3 months later brown-coloured young appear with a length of 3-4 cm.

References

* Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern