| True Lizards |
Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis)
The Sand lizard is the most famous native lizard in Germany. It is like all European reptiles protected by law and should not be cought or disturbed. Only specimens with corresponding documents shall be maintained, the owner nevertheless has to notify the keeping to the competent authoritys. In a terrarium Sand lizards exceptionally achieve a total length of about 24 cm, but normally stay smaller. The colours and pattern are highly variable depending on the individual, gender and age. During the mating season, males are clearly recognized by their beautiful emerald-green or bluish throat, the females are always somehow brownish in colour. Sand lizards are diurnal and true sun gazers. They lay their eggs usually in May or June and occasionally even up to August. For that relatively moist places are chosen, which are reached by the sun. The female digs small holes and lays 5–12 soft-shelled eggs in them. After 6–8 weeks the tiny lizards hatch, they can be raised on vitamin-enriched micro-crickets. I take care for a very tame breeding group, which shows a great social behaviour – one can spend hours watching them!
Blind worm/slow worm (Anguis fragilis)
Blind worms are probably the lizards in Germany with the most misconceptions: They are not snakes, not toxic and they are even not blind. The legless lizards are usually around 35–40 cm long and love rather moist habitats with connection to a sunny spot. The tail has a breaking point, it can be thrown off at danger and then shrugs to draw the attention of the attacker on it. Captive bred Slow worms hardly ever show this behaviour anymore. This lizards are ovoviviparous ("gives alive birth"). The gestation of the female lasts 11–14 weeks, after which (between mid July and late August, sometimes even later) they usually give birth to 8–12 offsprings. At birth the babies are 8–10 cm small and can really only be fed with mini earthworms. Adult specimens eat in addition to earthworms and snails also mealworms, wax moth larvaes, crickets and other insects. I care for a small breeding group. To a not too dry attitude must be payed attention!
Common wall lizard (Podacis muralis)
The Common wall lizard reaches a length of up to 25 cm. This lizard is distributed from northeast and central-east of Spain over Central Europe and the Balkans to the west coast of the Black Sea. Even in Germany there are some populations, many of which are endangered, even if elsewhere Common wall lizards proved to be cultural successors of viticulture for example. They are very slender, graceful lizards with a wonderful drawing. Overall they are indeed relaxed, but not as tame as Sand lizards. Common wall lizards live in very dry habitats and are real sun gazers, only to lay eggs they look for moist spot. I keep a small group together, that shows, as a result of the places offered, no serious quarrels. Breeding is not very complicated. My animals belong to subspecies Podarcis muralis nigriventris, which are often offered as "Podarcis muralis brueggemanni" by keepers.
Read more... |
