Blue-throated Keeled Lizard / Mrki ljuskavi gušter

Description:

The maximum length is 25 cm which makes it quite a lot bigger than any of the other Algyroides species. The lizard can be recognized by the keeled V shaped scales on the flanks, tail and back. It owes its name to the bright blue throat of the males in the mating season. Sometimes also females get a blue throat that is less bright. The remainder of the body is light brown to rusty brown, the belly is white to yellowish. It owes its scientific name to the rows of black dots on the back. These dots are mostly missing in females outside the mating season.

Habitat:

It is found in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, arable land, pastureland, plantations, rural gardens, and urban areas.

Notes:

Other name: Dalmatian Algyroides. Related spotting: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/286...