Balkan green lizard
Giant green lizard ( Lacerta trilineata )
The giant green lizard ( Lacerta trilineata ) is one of eight species of green lizards complex ( Lacerta s.str. ) To which, among other things, the Eastern green lizard, the Western Green lizard and the sand lizard belong.
Features
This type is up to more than 50 inches long; of which up to about 16 inches to the head-body length, while the tail is at least twice as long. Adult animals are colored green with fine black speckles. The males show the mating season like all green lizard a blue throat. The young and adolescent animals have a brown base color and three yellowish white longitudinal stripes on its back (hence also the scientific species name trilineata ).
Habitat
The giant green lizard inhabited the whole of the Balkans from Slovenia to Greece ( including Crete ) and the west coast of the Black Sea. It prefers rich vegetation terrain with many hiding places, such as weedy karst areas.
Behavior
This lizard is very shy and nimble; due to their large flight distance example, it is difficult to photograph them. If it is taken, they can bite painfully. Like all lizards can shed their tail, which is regenerated.
As a food serve insects and spiders of all kinds, also small vertebrates and smaller conspecifics are now and looted.
Threats and conservation
In some Balkan countries, the giant green lizard is one of the most common species of lizards; nevertheless it is protected by law in most countries. Imports to Germany is prohibited.
Protection status
- Habitats Directive: Annex 4 ( strictly protected )
- Federal Species Protection Ordinance ( BArtSchV ): specially protected
Subspecies
From the giant green lizard exist about nine subspecies:
- Lacerta trilineata trilineata,
- Lacerta trilineata cariensis
- Lacerta trilineata citrovittata
- Lacerta trilineata diplochondrodes
- Lacerta trilineata dobrogica
- Lacerta trilineata galatiensis
- Lacerta trilineata hansschweizeri
- Lacerta trilineata major
- Lacerta trilineata polylepidota