Reptile · GBIF taxon 6159264
Medium Lizard
Lacerta mediaAlso known as Eastern Green Lizard, Middle Lizard
Medium lizards thrive in sun-drenched rocky hillsides and open scrublands across the Middle East and the Caucasus region. Adult males turn a striking emerald green with turquoise highlights along their flanks during the spring breeding season to attract females and defend territories. Active by day, they hunt agilely through dense foliage before retreating into deep rock crevices or rodent burrows at night.
DiurnalInsectivorousReptile
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasshoppers
- Beetles
- Spiders
Predators
- Birds of prey
- Snakes
- Domestic cats
ThreatsHabitat loss from agriculture, urban development, and road mortality
HabitatsMediterranean scrub, rocky hillsides, open woodlands, and stone walls
Life span8–12 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyLacertidae
- SpeciesLacerta media
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May deliver a strong bite if grabbed; observe quietly from a short distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Scan sunlit stone piles, rocky outcrops, and dense bushes during mid-morning warmth.
- Approach: Move slowly and avoid casting your shadow over the lizard to prevent sudden flight.
- Observing: Keep a distance of a few meters to watch natural foraging and basking behaviors.
Genus Member George Chernilevsky / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) Petr Kouba, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Petr Kouba · cc-by
Close Relative Uoaei1 / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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