Anatolian rock lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anatolian rock lizard |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Anatololacerta
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| Species: |
anatolica
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| Synonyms | |
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Lacerta danfordi ssp. anatolica Werner, 1902 |
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The Anatolian rock lizard (Anatololacerta anatolica) is a type of lizard that belongs to the Lacertidae family. You can find it in western Anatolia (which is part of Turkey) and on islands near the coast. These lizards like to live in temperate forests and rocky places. It's a common species, and experts say it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
What Does It Look Like?
This lizard is quite small. It grows to about 7.5 centimetres (3.0 in) long from its nose to the start of its tail. Its tail is usually twice as long as its body! Both its head and body are a bit flat.
Its skin patterns can be different from one lizard to another. The main color is a dark olive-brown. You might see two rows of light-colored spots along its back and sides. These spots can sometimes join together to form lines. The areas between these lines often have more light speckles.
The lizard's throat might be reddish. However, the rest of its belly and underside are usually pale. Sometimes, it has a few dark spots on its sides. Lizards living on the island of Icaria have especially bright and clear markings.
Where Does It Live?
The Anatolian rock lizard lives only in western Anatolia (Asia Minor). This area is north of the Büyük Menderes River. It also lives on islands close to the coast. Some of these islands belong to Turkey, and others are part of Greece.
You can find this lizard on islands like Samos, Icaria, Nisyros, Symi, Strongyli Megistis, Rhodes, and Pentanisios. It can live in places as high as 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above sea level.
Its favorite places to live are rocky areas. This includes cliffs, large rocks, and even old stone walls. You might also spot them in rocky parts of woodlands. They can be found near streams in dry areas too. Female lizards usually lay between three and eight eggs at a time.
Is It in Danger?
The Anatolian rock lizard lives in a large area and is generally common. There are many of these lizards, and their numbers seem to be steady. The biggest threat they face is wildfires.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a group that checks on animals around the world. They have looked at the Anatolian rock lizard. They decided its conservation status is "least concern". This means it is not currently at high risk of becoming extinct.
