European snake eye
| European snake eye | ||||||||||||
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European snake eye ( Ophisops elegans ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Ophisops elegans | ||||||||||||
| Ménétriés , 1832 |
The European snake- eye ( Ophisops elegans ) is a slender lizard belonging to the genus of the snake- eye lizards. The name parts "Ophis" (snake) and "ops" (eye) come from the Greek language , "elegans" from Latin . As a result, the species would be translated according to its scientific name as "elegant snake eye".
features
About two thirds of the total length of up to 18 cm is accounted for by the tail length. The surface appears matt or rough due to the clearly keeled and "shingled" body scales. The basic color is either gray or brown, with males on the flanks orange, green or bluish depending on the subspecies . Especially the throat and neck region are bright orange, yellow or yellow-green in color during the mating season. Two light-colored stripes run across the back (four clear lines in young animals). The females are generally less colorful. In both sexes, several rows of small, dark dots run over the back and flanks, sometimes more and sometimes less clearly. Towards the tail, these can merge into strips. Snake eyes do not have a collar. Similar to the snakes, the eyelids have grown together and lie as a transparent layer over the eyes. The lizards practically look through the closed eyelids. The pupil is horizontal.
Distribution / subspecies
In Europe, the species is native to mainland Greece and some islands. This is where the distribution begins east of the Nestos and extends over southeast Bulgaria and Turkey to Asia Minor . The subspecies Ophisops elegans macrodactylus is at home in the Balkans and Western Anatolia , which also includes the snake eyes of the Greek island of Thassos . While the nominate form Ophisops elegans elegans lives in the Caucasus , O. e. ehrenbergii in eastern Turkey, western Syria , Lebanon and Israel . A large number of other subspecies have been described in their Asian range:
- Ophisops elegans basoglui Baran & Budak , 1978 - South Anatolia
- Ophisops elegans blanfordi Schmidt , 1939 - Mesopotamia
- Ophisops elegans centralanatoliae Bodenheimer , 1944 - Central Anatolia
- Ophisops elegans persicus Boulanger , 1918
- Ophisops elegans schlueteri Boettger 1880 - Cyprus
habitat
Dry meadows interspersed with smaller bushes and stone piles up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m form the typical habitat of the species in its European range. These are mostly located in the immediate vicinity of light deciduous forests and are often not far from flowing waters or springs. In Asia the species reaches up to over 3000 m. Free-standing rocks or stones serve as a hunting seat, sunbathing and resting place.
Reproduction
Mating battles often end in bitter fighting. The males initiate this by constantly nodding their head. During copulation , the male bites into the partner's flank. One to two clutches are weaned each year, each containing three to six eggs. Nothing is known about the duration of pregnancy and the incubation period . The lizards become sexually mature when they are two years old.
nutrition
It mainly eats small arachnids , insects and other invertebrates . So far nothing is known about the uptake of plants (flowers, fruits, etc.). However, it can be assumed that these serve as a supplement to the menu as with the closely related species.
behavior
Even in the blazing midday sun, the little lizards sit on warmed stones or rocks to keep an eye out for enemies and food. By opening the mouth wide and lifting the extremities, you protect yourself from overheating. The hunt for food animals takes place mainly on the ground in the low vegetation or in open areas. Snake eyes spot moving prey from afar, sneak up on them and prey on them while jumping or after persistent pursuit. If the lizards feel threatened, they run away for a few meters, but then stop again and watch the environment with elongated front legs and raised front bodies. When approaching carefully, the escape distance is often less than one to two meters.
literature
- Benny Trapp: Amphibians and reptiles of mainland Greece. NTV, Münster 2007, ISBN 978-3-86659-022-9 , pp. 152-155.
