Horvath's rock lizard


Horvath's rock lizard is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Europe. Until recently, this species was assigned to the same genus as the morphologically similar sand lizard. The natural habitats of I. horvathi are temperate forests and shrublands, and rocky areas.

Etymology

The specific name, horvathi is in honor of Hungarian entomologist Géza Horváth.

Conservation status

The geographic range of I. horvathi in central and southern Europe, in mountainous areas of southern Austria, northeastern Italy, western Slovenia, and western Croatia, is fragmented, and believed to be a relict of a much larger range during the last ice age. The small, fragmented range of this species is the main cause of concern for the survival of this species, which is why it is given Near threatened status in the IUCN Red List and is also legally protected in the countries in which it lives.

Description

Horvath's rock lizard grows to a snout-to-vent length of. It has a blunt snout and is dorso-ventrally flattened. The upper surface is pale greyish-brown contrasting sharply with the dark brown sides and the unspotted white or yellowish belly. There is sometimes a thin faint dark line along part of the spine or some dark speckles. The young lizards are similarly coloured but often have a greyish-green tail.

Geographic range

Horvath's rock lizard is native to northwestern Croatia, Slovenia and the adjoining parts of northeastern Italy and southern Austria. It has also been reported to be present in southern Germany. It may be under-reported because of its close resemblance to the more common wall lizard Podarcis muralis with which it co-exists in the lower part of its altitudinal range.

Habitat

The typical habitats of I. horvathi are cliffs, rocky outcrops, karst pavements, boulder fields, alpine scrub, damp open woodland, embankments, and bridges. It is normally found at altitudes of, usually between.

Behaviour

I. horvathi is very much a rock specialist and is very agile, even leaping into the air to catch prey. It prefers humid environments and may even be active under cloudy conditions.

Diet

Horvath's rock lizard feeds on a range of small invertebrates including flying forms.

Reproduction

Females of I. horvathi lay small clutches of four or five eggs which hatch after five to six weeks. The newly hatched young are about long from snout-to-vent and become mature at about two years of age.