Lacerta oertzeni

Südwestanatolische lizard ( Anatololacerta oertzeni )

The Südwestanatolische lizard ( Anatololacerta oertzeni ) is one of the genuine lizards.

Features

The Südwestanatolische lizard is a powerfully built and medium-sized lizard. It can reach a total length up to about 24 centimeters. Back and flanks are colored very variable. You can be brownish, brownish- greenish or greenish. On this ground color bright spots with a dark edge or a medium to dark brown mesh pattern are available. The belly is unspotted and bright throat is usually whitish or strong -orange to reddish colored, more rarely greenish. At the demarcation from the back to the flanks of a longitudinal strip is present especially in adolescents and young animals. This can be resolved through or in patches. Young animals have a turquoise blue tail and an orange-red throat.

Occurrence

The species occurs in the south and southwest Anatolia before and on some Greek islands. It is found from sea level to altitudes of about 2000 meters above sea level. Their habitats are dominated by rocks and bushes have bright and tree stands on. The species lives in villages, towns and orchards. You can climb up on walls and tree trunks.

Way of life

About the lifestyle of the West Anatolian lizard there is little information. It feeds mainly on arthropods such as grasshoppers, beetles and spiders.

System

We distinguish several subspecies. Anatololacerta oertzeni ssp. oertzeni occurs on the island of Ikaria. Anatololacerta oertzeni ssp. pelasgiana inhabited the islands of Symi, Nisyros and Rhodes including Pentanissos and the Turkish mainland. Other subspecies are Anatololacerta oertzeni ssp. budaki, Anatololacerta oertzeni ssp. finikensis, Anatololacerta oertzeni ssp. ibrahimi.

Documents

• Dieter Glandt: Pocket Encyclopaedia of amphibians and reptiles in Europe. Quelle & Meyer Verlag, Wiebelsheim 2010, ISBN 978-3-494-01470-8.