Timon

Scientific Name

Common Name

Distribution

Size

Notes

Timon

T. lepidus

Ocellated Lizard, Jewelled Lizard, Eyed Lizard

Iberian peninsula, S France, N Italy

Avg SVL 20 (sometimes 26) cm; tail 1.5 x SVL; max TL 80-90cm

Formerly well known by the species name Lacerta lepida. This is Europe's largest native lizard. The largest of the lacertid family and a deservedly popular terrarium subject. There are three subspecies of the Eyed Lizard. The preferred habitats are shrubbed areas, old vineyards and olive groves and orchard, but it is fairly catholic in its tastes. Interestingly, though, the northern limits of its distribution coincide with those of olive trees. It is also found at various altitudes, including 1,000 m. in the Alps and 2,100 m. in the Pyrenees. Being considerably larger than other lacertids, in addition to the usual invertebrates the Eyed Lizard sometimes also takes young birds, rodents and reptiles, and in summer also eats fallen fruit. It shelters in either abandoned rodent burrows or hollow tree trunks. Hibernation usually commences in October and ends in February-March. Females lay clutches of anything up to 20 or more eggs in April-May: the young, about 6cm, hatch in about 3 months. Adults are easily sexed: the males are normally larger and brighter, with the large blue spots ("eyes", hence the common name) along their sides. Females tend more to a brown colour with the spots much less discernible. Young lacertids are differently coloured from the adults. The heads of both sexes are covered in large scales. Despite their much larger size, Eyed Lizards are just as fast and as agile climbers as the smaller species. Scalation details: 5 supraciliaries separated from supraoculars by a row of 6-10 granules. Large occipital. 7-8 supralabials of which 5th touches eye. Nasal orifice delimited by nasal, rostral, 1st supralabial and 2 postnasals 1 loreal behind the postnasals followed by a frenocular. 2 preoculars in front of the eye. 2 large supratemporals on each side. 6 sublabials and 6 submaxillaries on each side. There is no maseterica and the tympanica is rarely differentiated. Collar: 6-10 (usually 9) scales. Throat: 26-39 scales between mandibular sinfisis and centre of collar. Femoral pores: 11-16 on each side. Dorsal scales: rounded or elliptical on the centre of the dorsum, 63-84. Ventral scale rows: 8-10 rows of trapezoid scales. Reproduction: the breeding season varies according to the location and climate of the individual. In France courtship takes place in April-May, the eggs being laid at the end of May or beginning of June, whereas the season is longer in Alicante, Spain, where gravid females are seen between April and July [Salvador]. Females dig a hole 7-9cm deep with their hind limbs and deposit 5-24 eggs. [SOURCE: Arnold, Salvador]

For the Eyed Lizard in captivity, please click here. B I

T. l. ibericus

NW Spain (W Galicia), NW Portugal

Characterised by relatively small even teeth [SOURCE: Arnold]

T. l. lepidus

Spain, Portugal, S France, N Italy

T. l. nevadaensis

SE Spain

Arnold suggested this was probably a separate species, L. nevadaensis, although to date this has not been accepted. Scalation details: average number of ventral plates lower than in T. l. lepidus. Other: head more pointed than nominate subspecies. Coloration: less richly coloured than nominate subspecies; more uniformly greyish without much black stippling; reduced blue ocelli on flanks; belly whitish; hatchlings also fairly uniform. [SOURCE: Arnold]

T. l. oteroorum

NW Spain (Isla de Salvora, off Galicia)

T. pater

North African Ocellated Lizard

Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco

20"

Originally a subspecies of L. lepida but raised to full species status by Bischoff, 1982. T. p. tangitana is the western, T. p. pater the eastern subspecies, separated from one another by the Oued Mouloya valley.. There are no other lizards similar to this within its range. The species is a basic green or brown, depending on subspecies and sex. Kästle et al note that these lizards prefer open landscape with sufficient cover and often bushes, but are otherwise quite catholic, using meadows, dense low shrubs, thorn thickets, and rocky areas such as outcrops or slopes. Olive groves and stone walls are examples of man-made cover exploited by T. pater (as indeed by T. lepida in SW Europe). Apart from the usual invertebrates, T. pater may take frogs, small snakes and young birds. Breeding takes place in April, with 2-3 clutches, of about 2-20 eggs, being laid at about 4 week intervals (14-18 days after mating) throughout the year. Hatchlings are olive brown with white ocelli. Sexual maturity is reached (at least in captivity, see Kästle et al) in about 1 year.

T. p. pater

Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco

21"

Distinguishable from T. p. tangitana by its wider snout with its slightly different scalation. There is also greater sexual dimorphism in this subspecies: males tend to have a yellow throat with weakly expressed and closed ocelli, whereas females have greenish throats and more distinct ocelli (Kästle et al). The base of the tail is the same colour as the dorsum.

T. p. tangitana

Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco

17"

Distinguishable from T. p. pater by its narrower snout with its slightly different scalation. There is usually a reticulated pattern on the dorsum, as opposed to the plain patterning more usually found on T. p. pater (esp. among the females). The base of the tail is usually dark brown. Some authorities now consider this to be a full species, T. tangitanus: see Reptile Database entry.

T. princeps

?

SW Iran, SE Turkey, NE Syria, N Iraq

16"

Attractively coloured lacertid.

T. p. princeps

T. p. kurdistanica

SE Turkey, NE Iraq, NW Iran

Found in the region of Zagros oak forest. Scalation details: lower edge of subocular half or greater than maximum length of shield; neck scales keeled; outer row of ventrals and flank scales are keeled; 17-19 gulars. Other: 16-21 femoral pores on each side.