Balkan Green Lizard, Lacerta trilineata

The Balkan Green Lizard is one of the largest lizards in Pelion, with a length of some 16 cm (6 1/3 in) from snout to

vent. Its tail is oftentimes twice its body length, sometimes longer.

Adult specimens are generally uniform bright green, with fine black

stippling on the back. Babies and subadults are usually brown, with three or five light stripes or a few light spots on the flanks. Hence, the species' scientific name, trilineata, which means "three-lined."

Apparently, there are five (5) subspecies:

L. trilineata trilineata can be found in the Balkans, the Ionian islands, and Asia Minor;
L. trilineata dobrogica occurs in NW Bulgaria;
L. trilineata hansschweizeri inhabits the Aegean islands of Milos, Kimolos and Sifnos;
L. trilineata polylepidota is found on the islands of Crete, Kithira;
L. trilineata media occurs in NE Asia Minor, Caucasus, N. Mesopotamia.

Mating takes place in April, and in May females lay 9-18 eggs and bury them. Some southern females lay a second clutch in June. Sexual maturity takes two years.

The Balkan Green Lizard prefers lowlands and is only occasionally found at altitudes up to 1,000 m (3,280 ft). It tends to be found in warm, dry places and is largely confined to areas with a Mediterranean climate. However, it sometimes lives near water, e.g. in E. Romania and parts of S. Greece, and may even be seen swimming across shallow streams and ditches. It is often found in bushy places, though the young may live in clumps of low vegetation. Also occurs on overgrown sand-dunes, dry-stone walls, and ruins on arable land.

Food consists mainly of

invertebrates, but fruit, eggs, the young of small birds are also taken at times.

The lizards shown on this page live in a large pile of fire-wood, kept on our property. They show up each year, around mid-spring, at which time they are particularly active. They make regular appearances until early to mid June, at which time they miraculously vanish, for no apparent reason.

Food
Mainly invertebrates; fruit, eggs, and the young of small birds also taken at times.

Active
Mid-spring to early summer.

Habitat
Dry, warm places with a Mediterranean climate; frequently occupies overgrown sand-dunes, dry-stone walls, and ruins on arable land.

Distribution
Southern Europe, from the Balkans, incl. many Aegean islands, to Asia Minor, Caucasus, and N. Mesopotamia.

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Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Eukaryota; Kingdom: Metazoa; Phylum: Chordata; Subphylum: Craniata; Superclass: Gnathostomata; Class: Reptilia; Superorder: Lepidosauria; Order: Squamata; Suborder: Scleroglossa; Infraorder: Scincomorpha; Superfamily: Lacertoidea; Family: Lacertidae; Subfamily: Lacertinae; Genus: Lacerta; Species: trilineata.