Dalmatian Rock Lizard

Description:

More commonly known as Sharp-snouted rock lizard, (formerly Lacerta oxycephala), this is a small, slender bodied and flattened lizard with a pointed snout and somewhat bulgy eyes. This one was smaller than most of those I encounter, and measured less than 15 cm approximately, with less than 5cm in body length. At first, it's colour surprised me, as it appeared very dark, almost black against that wall - but in the end it seems the colour reflects differently according to the angle it is exposed to the light (see pic No 5). The main color of the body is greyish, with greenish pattern; and the tail is greyish-green, striped black.

Habitat:

These are very old friends, and our garden in Dubrovnik is full of them... here seen on stone walls of terraces. Endemic to Adriatic coast, in particular Dalmatia, the representatives of this species are found in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro, and possibly Albania, where its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, rocky shores, rural gardens, and urban areas.