# Western Green Lizard (*Lacerta bilineata*) The Western Green Lizard is a bright green lizard that loves to bask in the sun. It has a long body and can be very fast when it runs away from danger. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Western Green Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lacerta_bilineata_near_Entella_river_021.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mariomassone, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lacerta_bilineata_near_Entella_river_021.jpg) ## Appearance The Western Green Lizard is a striking reptile with a bright emerald green body, often featuring small black flecks and a pale yellow belly. Males may develop brilliant blue throats during breeding season, setting them apart visually from their plainer counterparts. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Lacertidae - **Genus:** Lacerta ## Interesting facts - Believe it or not, these lizards sometimes eat their own shed skin to get back valuable nutrients! - Look out! Male Western Green Lizards flash a bright blue chin to impress females and warn rivals! - When it gets cold, Western Green Lizards dig into the ground to hibernate all winter long! - Wow! These lizards can live up to 15 years, much longer than many other small reptiles! ## Special abilities - **Detachable Tail:** Western Green Lizards can drop their tail if a predator grabs it, because it keeps them safe while the tail regrows. - **Sun Worshipper:** Western Green Lizards can control their body temperature by basking in the sun, which helps them stay active. - **Vibrant Display:** Western Green Lizards have bright blue throats in males during breeding season that helps them attract a mate. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 25-40 cm - **Weight:** 0.02-0.1 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-15 years - **Speed:** 20 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 6-25 - **Incubation:** 40-70 days ## Diet & Feeding These lizards mostly feast on insects and spiders, but they also enjoy juicy fruits and berries! - **Age differences:** Young lizards eat smaller insects; adults hunt larger prey and consume more plant matter. - **Primary Foods:** crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, berries, soft fruits - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Booted Eagle (*Hieraaetus pennatus*) — A key aerial predator, snatching these lizards from sunny basking spots. - **Eaten by:** [Smooth Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/smooth-snake) (*Coronella austriaca*) — This non-venomous snake is a specialist predator, hunting various lizards. - **Hunts:** Mealworm Beetle (*Tenebrio molitor*) — Actively pursues and consumes various beetles and their larval forms. - **Eats:** [Red Raspberry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-raspberry) (*Rubus idaeus*) — Supplements its insect diet with ripe, soft berries and fruits when available. ## Traits - [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. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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 Do not try to catch or hold lizards; they are best admired from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Green 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 Western Green Lizard? 25-40 cm ### How much does Western Green Lizard weigh? 0.02-0.1 kg ### How long does Western Green Lizard live? 5-15 years ### How fast can Western Green Lizard move? 20 km/h ### What does Western Green Lizard eat? These lizards mostly feast on insects and spiders, but they also enjoy juicy fruits and berries! ### Where is Western Green Lizard usually found? Grasslands ### How does Western Green Lizard hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Zoo de la Palmyre](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-la-palmyre) — Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR · Zoo ## 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: [Western Green Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-green-lizard)