Italian lizard in the wild

Italian lizard, in the old Czech literature known as the Sicilian, one of the major species of the genus, grows to the length of 20-26 cm. This is a very versatile and environmentally color variable species in which it was described 91 - mostly islands - subspecies (Kwet 2005).

Basic data

Within the genus of the family jesterkovitych Podarcis (Lacertidae) is ranked over 20 minor species. Is widespread in Italy, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and other islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, as well as in Slovenia, Croatia and the adjacent islands of the Adriatic. Man was introduced into various areas of the Mediterranean - as in Spain, Portugal, France, Montenegro, Turkey, Libya and Tunisia, but also to the USA, where he lives as urban parks in New York, Philadelphia and Cincinnati. Italian lizards settle localities from sea level to mountains in places such as the volcano Etnea (Sicily) is to be found at an altitude of 1800 m.

Observations in nature

With this kind I met at the Peninsula (from north to south), Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro. Mostly it was near the seashore, where lizards seeking the stone walls, walls and hedges, often living in parks, gardens and in landfills. My first acquaintance with the Italian lizards took place on a beach in northern Italy, where they use as shelters discarded empty beer cans and Coca-Cola. We can to some extent be regarded as synanthropic animals, linked to man-made environments, which are used to human presence. But well able to distinguish random walkers from a man who shows interest in them - then they are shy and quick.Very often they occur in conjunction with the Wall gecko (Tarentola mauritanica). These two relatively large species as they compete with each other too, because the lizards are active during the day and hunt geckos in the evening and night, sometimes during the day basking. Lizards occupied sites are very dry, especially in the summer is to have a limited food supply. If not put ants lizards, tiny marine crustaceans, remain at low tide on the beach, opadanym prezralym fruit or food residues after people - such as pieces of bread or even sardines. Adult males are very aggressive intraspecific. During the observation I have often seen as the dominant male drives other males from their territories and chasing him for several yards.

Breeding

Arrange for raising a medium-sized terrarium, the rear walls covered with flat stones vyskladanymi that lizards provide shelter and increase the usable space to move. Need a strong light, preferably using light sources with a share of ultraviolet radiation. The temperature in the cage during the day would not fall below 25? C, with the possibility of local heating up to 35? C at night is about 20? C. In one tank can be placed several females, but only one male. Unlike nature, where the weaker males to a more run, the limited space in the terrarium was his killing.

full article can be found in the May issue of Animal Planet, available on newsstands

Share article with friends

:: RECOMMEND BY EMAIL

:: PRINT THIS ARTICLE

:: RELATED ARTICLES ABOUT TOPIC: Terrarium

:: RELATED ARTICLES:
• Turtles magnificent (May 2010)
• Snake Panterophis alleghaniensis (April 2010)
• Turtles magnificent (April 2010)
• Štíhlovka Caspian - Dolichophis caspius (March 2010)
• Chameleon at home (March 2010)

MAGAZINE EDITIONS:

> Year 2008 <

> Year 2007 <

> Year 2006 <

> Year 2005 <

> Year 2004 <

> Year 2002 <

> Year 2001 <

> Year 2000 <