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Ocellated lizard

lezard-ocelle-j-celse-parc-national-calanques-marseille-cassis-la-ciotat.jpg
© J. Celse
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© ECO-MED
lezard-ocelle-pncal.jpg
© Parc national des Calanques

Description

This is the biggest lizard in Europe and can reach up to 70 centimetres long! It likes the sun but not strong heat, it stays in the shade or a shelter dug out itself. Its skin is covered in green, yellow, black or blue scales forming a pattern called eye-like, or ocellated, marks, hence its name. It feeds mainly on large insects or small mammals.

Scientific name

Timon lepidus

Where can you see it?

  • Natural habitats:Rocky habitats, Garrigue and maquis scrubland

Did you know ?

Mating (April to May) is preceded by combats between males that can even lead to the death of one of the individuals.

Conservation stake

Medium

Threats

  • Disturbance by humans

How can I help to protect it?

  • I keep to the trails
  • I do not disturb it