Western green lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western green lizard |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male Western green lizard | |
 |
|
| Female Western green lizard | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lacerta
|
| Species: |
bilineata
|
 |
|
| The western green lizard is in green The eastern green lizard is in blue |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) is a type of lizard. It belongs to the Lacertidae family, which includes many common lizards. These lizards are known for their bright green color.
Contents
About the Western Green Lizard
What Does Its Name Mean?
The name Lacerta comes from a Latin word meaning "lizard." The second part of its scientific name, bilineata, also comes from Latin. It means "with two lines." This refers to the pale lines you can see on the sides of young lizards.
Where Do Western Green Lizards Live?
This lizard is found in many parts of Europe. It lives naturally in countries like Andorra, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Monaco, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. You can also find it on the islands of Guernsey and Jersey in the Channel Isles.
Sometimes, these lizards are also found in new places. For example, they have been brought to the United States. There are also small groups of them living on the south coast of the U.K., especially around Poole Bay.
What Does a Western Green Lizard Look Like?
Western green lizards can grow to be quite long. Their body, not including the tail, is about 13 centimeters (about 5 inches) on average. With their tail, they can reach up to 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) in total! Their tail can be twice as long as their body. An adult lizard usually weighs about 35 grams.
Their bodies are a bright, shiny green color. Male lizards have a larger head than females. Males also often have a cool blue throat.
Young Lizards Look Different
When they are young, these lizards look a bit different. Baby lizards are usually brown with a yellowish belly. They have two to four light-colored lines running down their sides. As they get a little older, they are called sub-adults. They still have these lines, but they also start to get small brown spots on their backs.
-
Male of Lacerta bilineata
-
Lacerta bilineata regenerating its previously shed tail (autotomy)
-
Close-up
-
Close-up
-
Coupling
_-_Labeil.jpeg)
What Do Western Green Lizards Eat?
These lizards are carnivores, which means they eat other animals. They mostly feed on arthropods. This includes large insects, isopods (like pill bugs), and spiders.
Western Green Lizard Life Cycle
How Do They Behave?
Western green lizards are territorial animals. This means they like to have their own space and will defend it from other lizards. They become ready to have babies when they are about two years old. At this age, their body (without the tail) is about 8 centimeters long.
Reproduction
During the mating season, male lizards can be very aggressive. They will fight with other males to win over females. The mating process is quite specific. It starts with the male biting the base of the female's tail.
After mating, the female lizard lays her eggs. She usually lays between 6 and 25 eggs. She looks for a warm and moist place to lay them, like inside a rotting log. On average, these lizards live for about 15 years.
Where Do Western Green Lizards Live?
Their Natural Habitat
Western green lizards like to live in green, humid places. Their natural habitats include temperate forests and the edges of woods. They also like shrubland, open grassland, and areas used for farming, like arable land and pastureland.
Unfortunately, their homes are sometimes threatened. When their habitat is destroyed or changed, it can be hard for them to find places to live and thrive.
Images for kids
-
Male of Lacerta bilineata
-
Lacerta bilineata regenerating its previously shed tail (autotomy)
-
Close-up
-
Close-up
-
Coupling
