Blue-throated Keeled Lizard

Blue-throated Keeled Lizard
Blue-throated Keeled Lizard
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Algyroides
Species: A. nigropunctatus
Binomial name
Algyroides nigropunctatus
(Duméril & Bibron. 1839)

The Blue-throated Keeled Lizard or Dalmatian Algyroides (Algyroides nigropunctatus) is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family. It is found in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, arable land, pastureland, plantations, rural gardens, and urban areas. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Contents

Description

The maximum length is 25 cm which makes it quite a lot bigger than any of the other Algyroides species. The lizard can be recognized by the keeled V shaped scales on the flanks, tail and back. It owes its name to the bright blue throat of the males in the mating season. Sometimes also females get a blue throat that is less bright. The remainder of the body is light brown to rusty brown, the belly is white to yellowish. It owes its scientific name to the rows of black dots on the back. These dots are mostly missing in females outside the mating season.

Ecology

The Blue-throated Keeled Lizard likes to climb. Its habitat consists of hedges, walls and ruins. The food consists of insects, worms, and other small invertebrates.

The animals are very easily frightened and are not often kept in captivity due to the protected status.

Reproduction

Only two or four eggs are laid, but it has been assumed that females can procuce eggs both in early spring and early autumn. The males bite the females in the neck during mating and don't let go for quite some time which is common for Algyroides lizards.

References


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