The science of reptiles there is the concept "family real lizards."This term does not mean that these animals are the most typical representatives of the species.Simply it is a family of scientists have found and studied first.Green lizard, the name of this kind of animal scientists, is a member of the family "real".This article will outline the answers to questions about the habits and habitat of these reptiles.
Look Like?
Green lizard - a relatively large reptile, body length reaches fifteen centimeters.Tail reptiles typically about twice the length of the body.It is quite brittle, easily throws his pet in an emergency.At the head of the green lizard is a few guards.One of them - the intermaxillary - reaches the nostrils, or separated from it by a bridge.Usually these animals only one zygomatic plate and zadnenosovyh - two or three.There are also supralabial shields.They are located in front peredneglaznichnogo four in number, at least - three or five.Between supraciliaries and supraoculars shields usually found to fourteen grains.It also happens that no grains at all.The head is also provided with a reptile temporal shields top of which there are usually two in number, and sometimes have average dimensions more pronounced than others.We have a green lizard and a drum guard, who sometimes almost imperceptible.On the neck of the reptile has throat fold, as well as a luxurious flake effectively notched collar.
Almost the entire body is covered with a green lizard scales.Midline neck decorated with reptile scales, the number of which varies from 16-27.On the back of the scales of the animal it has an elongated hexagonal shape and well developed ribs.Mid torso framed by 40-58 reptile scales.Anal plate is partially surrounded by six to ten perianal boards, middle pair which is usually wider than the other.
What color are painted?
It would seem that the answer lies in the title of the animals.However, all is not so simple.Adults are not plain and often are painted in shades of black, yellow and even (sometimes) blue.
Young lizards are usually monochromatic, brown-brown or brownish-gray with a few flecks of black color, which become laterally with small white spots.With age, the back of the animal is green, and on the sides of the lizards appear longitudinal white stripes.Adults have a dark or bright green color, dotted with a variety of top-yellow or black spots.Because of their sometimes lizard looks almost black with yellow and green patches.There are reptiles with dark spots of irregular shape in the bright edging located along the spine.Green lizard is brownish or emerald head with white or yellow patches and dashes.During the breeding season the male's throat is bright blue and the females - a bluish or greenish marble stains.The belly at first - a bright yellow, the second - white.
Where to live?
Green lizard is found in South and Central Europe.She also lives in Asia Minor, the north-western part.This reptile is found in almost all the territory of Moldova and in the southwestern part of the Right-Bank Ukraine.The scope of the animal in the valley of the Dnieper in Kiev reaches, in the middle reaches of the river spreads on the left bank, where the river Vorskla Poltava reach.
Green lizard loves sunny and dry places, often inhabits rocky areas in river flood plains, on hilly slopes with sparse forests and bushes, orchards, vineyards, boundaries, forest glades.On average, you can find one animal to 250-1000 meters of the route.Reptile finds refuge in a heap of stones, piles of firewood, the crevices in the rocks, the space under the ground lying on tree trunks, long specially dug holes.
At what time are the most active?
Green lizard, photos of which are presented in this article, in different habitats have different periods of activity.In southern Ukraine reptile is a lively lifestyle, from March to October, in the middle lane - from May to September.In the hottest period of the animal sometimes it falls into a summer hibernation.Warm season marked bimodal peak of activity in the green lizard.In the morning she hunts vigorously.In the afternoon - from 12.00 to 16.00 - the majority of reptiles disappear in secret shelters and the cool, shaded areas.Then again lizards emerge from hiding.During the hunt, or sudden danger animals usually get on trees and shrubs, which can be easily moved from one branch to another, and jump down a fairly high altitude.If the lizard has found a safe shelter, it is not easy to lure away.Even strong blows with a stick on the ground will not produce the desired effect.
What to eat?
green lizards are carnivores.The diet is dominated by spiders, Hymenoptera, caterpillars, bugs, beetles and Orthoptera.And the food preferences depend on the time of year.Waking up from hibernation and for some time thereafter (in the spring and in the early days of summer), reptiles actively eat spiders and beetles.In autumn and in late summer lizard gladly eat caterpillars and Orthoptera.Their diet, they sometimes supplement earthworms, mollusks, phalanges, centipedes, dragonflies, midges and other insects.Sometimes these animals feed on plant foods, is that more and eat small lizards.
How to breed?
large green lizard reproduces in the mating season, which lasts from May to June.At this time there is a fierce battle between males.Pregnancy fertilized females lasts six to eight weeks.Then, in the second half of June and the end of July, lizards lay eggs (5-13 pieces), burying them in the soil to a depth of seven to eight centimeters.Juveniles hatch from eggs in late summer and early fall.As a rule, they lead an independent life.Sexual maturity in lizards comes two years after birth.
