Dalmatian wall lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dalmatian wall lizard |
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The Dalmatian wall lizard (Podarcis melisellensis) is a type of lizard. It belongs to the family Lacertidae. You can find these lizards in countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, and Slovenia. They like to live in places such as temperate forests, rocky areas, and grassy fields.
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What They Look Like
Dalmatian wall lizards are not very big. Their body, from snout to vent (the opening near the tail), grows up to about 65 millimeters (2.5 inches) long. Their tail is usually twice as long as their body!
When baby lizards hatch, they are tiny. They are only about 25 millimeters (1 inch) long. Female lizards lay between 2 and 8 eggs at a time.
Cool Colors and What They Mean
These lizards have three different belly colors: yellow, orange, and white. These colors are called "morphs." They show how dominant a male lizard is.
Orange Lizards
Male lizards with an orange belly are usually the strongest. They are seen as more aggressive than other males. Orange males are often bigger and have a stronger bite. This helps them win fights against other males. They can then mate with the female they choose and claim their own territory.
Female lizards often prefer to mate with orange males. This is because orange males are usually healthier and bigger. This can lead to stronger, healthier babies.
Yellow Lizards
Even though females like orange males, they will still mate with yellow males. Yellow males might not be as strong as orange ones. However, they can offer females other benefits. These include protection and a small territory.
White Lizards
White male lizards have a different way of finding a mate. They usually have to sneak into another male's territory. Then, they try to mate with females there without being caught.
See also
- List of reptiles of Italy
