Bedriaga's rock lizard


Bedriaga's rock lizard is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is monotypic within the genus Archaeolacerta. It is only found on the islands Corsica and Sardinia. The name Lacerta bedriagae is also used.

Etymology

Both the common name and the specific name, bedriagae, are in honor of Russian-born herpetologist Jacques von Bedriaga.

Habitat

The natural habitats of A. bedriagae are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rivers, rocky areas, pastureland, and rural gardens.

Conservation status

A. bedriagae is threatened by habitat loss.

Description

Outside the mating season, adults of A. bedriagae are brownish-grey with a dark, fine-lined net pattern on their backs. The female is browner than the male, and the male in mating season acquires a blue belly, blue loins, and blue dots on the flanks. The netlike pattern seems to turn into a pattern of white dots. Juveniles are discernible by their bright azure blue tails. The adult males can grow to a total length of up to. However most specimen do not get longer than in total length.

Ecology

Bedriaga's rock lizards climb vertical rocks, cliffs, walls and ruins. The species is found in mountainous regions, mostly between above sea level, but it is also found along the coast, sunbathing near small streams. When frightened, the lizards sometimes try to escape in the water; they are good swimmers. Their diets consist of insects and other small invertebrates. Peculiar to this lizard, it jumps off the ground often to catch flying insects. Most other Lacertidae cannot make high jumps to catch their prey.
This rare species is protected by CITES.