The European Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis) is a reptile. 

The European Green Lizard is green with small spots on its back. The male has a bluish throat, and the female’s throat is lighter blue. It is well camouflaged in the grass. It drops its tail to evade predators. The tail regenerates – it grows back. This is called autotomy. 

It grows up to 15 centimetres (6 inches) long, with a tail up to 25 centimetres (10 inches). Its total length of 40 centimetres (16 inches). 

It is native to south-eastern Europe – as far east as the Black Sea countries of Ukraine and Turkey. It prefers dense bushy vegetation and long grass. 

The European Green Lizard is terrestrial because it lives on the ground. It likes to bask in the sun. 

It feeds on insects, and sometimes fruit, mice, and bird eggs. 

The female is oviparous. She lays 6-20 eggs, which hatch after 60-120 days. The young are pale-brown when born. 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM