Lacerta schreiberi - Schreiber's Green Lizard
Compared to the other European members of the genus Lacerta, which inhabit a wide distribution range, Schreiber's Green Lizard is limited to Western Spain and Portugal. Once again, the Iberian Peninsula proofs as a rich source of endemism.
Lacerta schreiberi is an adorable lizard with males showing blue heads in spring, yellow-greenish bodies and contrasting brown tails. Unlike many other species, also females may show beautiful green colours with a quite variable pattern of dark spots.
It inhabits well-vegetated habitats with sufficient humidity. In particular in the south of its range, it can be found frequently close to water.
Males of this species resemble to Lacerta bilineata, which also occurs in northern Spain. Anyhow, males of Lacerta schreiberi have brown tales whereas males of Lacerta bilineata have green tales.
Timon lepidus has blue ocelli and doesn't show blue heads.
Juveniles of Lacerta schreiberi can be easily identified by their characteristic lateral stripe pattern (see below).
