Sharp-snouted rock lizard

Dalmatian Spitzkopf lizard ( Dalmatolacerta oxycephala )

The Dalmatian Spitzkopf lizard ( Dalmatolacerta oxycephala, formerly Archaeolacerta oxycephala or Lacerta oxycephala ) is the only species of its genus. It is native to Dalmatia.

Features

The Dalmatian Spitzkopf lizard is 19-20 inches long, head and trunk will measure only 6.5 inches. She is a typical elegant and strongly flattened lizard with a very flat pointed head. Your back is black - brown or brownish gray and has bright reticulated polka dot pattern. On islands or mountains it is almost black. Your belly is bright blue or blue-gray. Their tail is blue-black striped. The scales on the tail base pairs are outside thinner than in the middle.

Habitat / distribution

The lizard is found to Skadar Lake in Montenegro, as well as on the islands in the Adriatic coastal area of ​​southern Croatia and Bosnia- Herzegovina. Their habitat extends from the Adriatic coast to a maximum altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. In the valley of the Neretva reached their range of 80 km, the maximum distance from the coast. It inhabits only rocky habitats such as cliffs, scree slopes and stone walls, often together with the wall lizard and the ruin lizard. The animals are not very sensitive to cold and keep only a short winter rest from December to February. Likelihood of confusion with the Mosor rock lizard. However, this has six pairs of mandibular shields and no curly tail.

Nutrition

The lizard feeds on insects, spiders, woodlice, other arthropods and worms.

Reproduction

During the breeding season from March to April, she lives in pairs and partners to defend a common territory. The female lays two to four very elongated, yellow-white eggs, which hatch the little lizards after about six to seven weeks in June. The young lizards have a striking colored tail.