Bedriaga's Rock Lizard

Tyrrhenian rock lizard ( Archaeolacerta bedriagae )

The Tyrrhenian rock lizard ( Archaeolacerta bedriagae ) is a species of lizard, which is found in Corsica and Sardinia. The specific epithet honors the Russian herpetologist Jacques of Bedriaga ( 1854-1906 ).

Features

The Tyrrhenian rock lizard is large, strong and reached a total length of 20 to 28 cm, of which six to eight inches on the strongly flattened body. The scales on the back are smooth and grainy. The head is pointed and wide at the temples. Most show the Tyrrhenian mountain lizards a greenish back and on a net-like, dark olive green or brownish pattern with spots in between. More rarely they are monochromatic, then usually green to brown black. The flanks are often copper-colored. The belly is whitish to reddish, sometimes spotted. Young animals have a blue green tail.

Way of life

The Tyrrhenian rock lizard lives at altitudes 500-2700 m, especially in the mountains. In northeastern Sardinia it is also found at sea level. She prefers vegetated rocky areas and feeds on insects and spiders. The animals five to six months hibernation. In spring the female lays three to six eggs.

Subspecies

  • Archaeolacerta bedriagae bedriagae ( Camerano, 1885), Corsica
  • Archaeolacerta bedriagae paessleri ( Mertens, 1927), North Sardinia
  • Archaeolacerta bedriagae sardoa ( Peracca, 1903), Southern Sardinia
Squamata Lacertidae Genus Robert Mertens Herpetology
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