Pyrenean Rock Lizard
EntdeckenReptilien
Pyrenean Rock Lizard
iberolacerta bonnali
The Pyrenean Rock Lizard (Iberolacerta bonnali) is a resilient and fascinating reptile that makes its home in the harsh, high-altitude alpine zones of the Pyrenees mountains. Perfectly adapted to survival in extreme cold, this small lizard thrives where few other reptiles dare to venture. It is typically found basking on sun-warmed granite rocks near mountain lakes and scree slopes, often at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters. Because of its brief active season—limited to the short summer months—the Pyrenean Rock Lizard displays remarkable energy efficiency and timing. Watching this agile climber navigate vertical rock faces with precision is a delight for high-altitude hikers and herpetologists alike. It stands as a testament to life's adaptability in Europe's most challenging mountain landscapes.
Lebensraum: Found exclusively on alpine scree slopes, rocky outcrops, and stone walls near water bodies at high elevations in the Pyrenees.
Aussehen
This is a relatively small lizard, measuring about 12 to 20 cm in total length, with a long, slender tail that can double its snout-vent length. It features a flattened body shape that allows it to squeeze into tight rocky crevices. Its coloration is highly cryptic, consisting of a grayish-brown or olive-colored back adorned with two dark lateral bands and subtle speckling. Unlike some other rock lizards, its belly is typically white, gray, or pale yellow, lacking bright green or orange hues, and it has smooth, non-keeled scales that give it a slightly glossy appearance.
ReichAnimaliaStammChordataKlasseReptiliaOrdnungSquamataFamilieLacertidaeGattungIberolacerta
Kategorie
ReptilienSeltenheit
Common
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Snaps
Mach den ersten Snap!
Interessante Fakten
Because they live in cold environments, they spend a large portion of their active day thermoregulating on rocks before they have enough energy to hunt.
Its scientific name, bonnali, honors the French naturalist Count de Bonnal, who collected the first specimens in the early 20th century.
This species spends up to eight months of the year in deep hibernation beneath the snow and rock layers.
Besondere Fähigkeiten
Fähigkeit
High-Altitude Freeze Tolerance
These lizards can survive sub-zero temperatures during winter hibernation by producing cryoprotective compounds in their bodies.
Fähigkeit
Crevice Compression
With a dorsoventrally flattened body and flexible skeleton, they can easily squeeze into tiny rock fractures to escape predators.
Fähigkeit
Tail Autotomy
If grabbed by a predator, the lizard can self-amputate its tail, which continues to wiggle to distract the threat while the lizard escapes.
Maße und Details
- Länge
- 12-20 cm
- Gewicht
- 0.004-0.009 kg
- Lebenserwartung
- 8-15 Jahre
- Top Speed
- 8 km/h
- Gelegegröße
- 2-5
- Brutzeit
- 30-45 Tage
Ernährung und Fütterung
Feeds opportunistically on a wide variety of small alpine invertebrates, taking advantage of the brief summer abundance of insects and arachnids.
Altersunterschiede: Juveniles eat smaller prey, such as mites and tiny flies, due to their smaller gape size.
Hauptnahrung
- Flies
- Beetles
- Spiders
- Ants
Nahrungssuche
- Foraging
Ökologische Zusammenhänge
hunts
Wolf Spider
Pardosa mixta
Preys heavily on this spider species in alpine meadows.
eaten by
Common European Adder
Vipera berus
Preys on the Pyrenean Rock Lizard, capturing them while they bask on rocks.
competitor
Common Wall Lizard
Podarcis muralis
Competes for basking sites and insect prey in overlapping high-altitude ranges.
Merkmale
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Sammlungen
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Sicherheit
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
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Häufig gestellte Fragen
Wie identifiziert man Pyrenean Rock Lizard?
Der einfachste Weg, Pyrenean Rock Lizard zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.
Was ist der/die/das länge von Pyrenean Rock Lizard?
12-20 cm
Was ist der/die/das gewicht von Pyrenean Rock Lizard?
0.004-0.009 kg
Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Pyrenean Rock Lizard?
8-15 Jahre
Was ist der/die/das top Speed von Pyrenean Rock Lizard?
8 km/h
Was frisst Pyrenean Rock Lizard?
Feeds opportunistically on a wide variety of small alpine invertebrates, taking advantage of the brief summer abundance of insects and arachnids.
Wo findet man Pyrenean Rock Lizard normalerweise?
Found exclusively on alpine scree slopes, rocky outcrops, and stone walls near water bodies at high elevations in the Pyrenees.
Wie jagt Pyrenean Rock Lizard?
Foraging
Snap-Karte
Zoome hinein, um Cluster aufzulösen und zu sehen, wo dieses Objekt fotografiert wurde.
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Neueste Snaps
Neueste Snaps erscheinen hier, wenn neue Beobachtungen hinzukommen.
_male_(Found_by_Jean_NICOLAS)_(14086101473).jpg&width=800)
