# River Kura Lizard (*Darevskia portschinskii*) The River Kura Lizard is a small, colorful lizard that loves to bask in the sun. It has a long tail and can often be found near rivers and streams, where it enjoys catching insects. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![River Kura Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Darevskia_portschinskii_.jpg&width=800) Photo: AVCham, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Darevskia_portschinskii_.jpg) ## Appearance The River Kura Lizard is a slender reptile, typically greyish-brown or olive-green, often with rows of darker spots or stripes running down its back. Its belly is usually pale yellow or white, and its tail can be quite long, often twice the length of its body. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Lacertidae - **Genus:** Darevskia ## Interesting facts - Many River Kura Lizards are all female and hatch babies without a dad! - Their super sensitive tongue helps them "smell" the world around them! - These speedy lizards can quickly change direction to escape tricky situations. - They spend their mornings warming up on sun-baked rocks to get energy. ## Special abilities - **Self-Amputation Power:** River Kura Lizard can drop its tail when grabbed by a predator because it helps them escape and regrow a new one later. - **Solar Charger:** River Kura Lizard can bask in the sun that helps them warm up their cold-blooded body and get energy to hunt for food. - **Rock Sprinter:** River Kura Lizard can dart across rocky surfaces because of its agile body and strong claws that help it evade predators. - **Single Parent Power:** River Kura Lizard can lay eggs and reproduce all by itself without a male because it helps its species survive in certain areas. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.015 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 12 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-5 - **Incubation:** 45-60 days ## Diet & Feeding These small lizards are insectivores, mostly eating tiny insects and other small invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** Ants, Beetles, Spiders, Grasshoppers, Flies, Caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Kestrel (*Falco tinnunculus*) — Bird of prey that hunts small reptiles. - **Eaten by:** [Grass Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix natrix*) — Common predator in its riverine habitat. - **Eats:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — A common food source for young lizards. - **Eats:** Mealworm beetle (*Tenebrio molitor*) — Adult beetles are a protein-rich meal. ## Traits - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch lizards from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify River Kura Lizard? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is River Kura Lizard? 15-20 cm ### How much does River Kura Lizard weigh? 0.005-0.015 kg ### How long does River Kura Lizard live? 3-8 years ### How fast can River Kura Lizard move? 12 km/h ### What does River Kura Lizard eat? These small lizards are insectivores, mostly eating tiny insects and other small invertebrates. ### Where is River Kura Lizard usually found? Mountain regions ### How does River Kura Lizard hunt? Foraging ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [River Kura Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/river-kura-lizard)