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The Grozny Lacerta

Lacerta strigata

With a snout to vent length (SVL) of 4.25 inches (for males) to 4.40 inches (for females), a Grozny lacerta is a moderately large lacertid. Adult males are clear bright green over the first two-thirds of the body, while the hindquarters, including the rear legs and tail, are olive brown. Female coloration is similar, but the green is not as intense and the body retains some of the spots and a trace of juvenile coloring. An adult male's belly is greenish or greenish-yellow; a female's white. During the breeding season, the colors of both sexes intensify. The male's head, throat and sides of the neck turn deep blue; the throat of the female is greenish-yellow.

This species is found in the Eastern Caucasus Mountains and around the Caspian sea, a relatively small area. The climate throughout much of the Grozny lizard's range is much like that of Salt Lake City, Utah. When comparing the climate of Yerevan, Armenia (which is in the middle of the lizard's range) with the climate of Salt Lake City, I see only a few slight differences. Both areas have cold winters, hot summers and moderate rainfall. Because of its tolerance, I believe that if properly housed, the Grozny lizard is an ideal species for outdoor terraria over much of the United States. However, while the Grozny lizard is tolerant of winter cold, it is intolerant of excessive rain and ground moisture. Because of this, I am able to keep them outdoors here in Alabama only if I provide them with dry shelters. Otherwise, they die of pneumonia. But if kept indoors, L. strigata needs a slightly moist place to hide. Lacking this, shedding problems will occur.

Lacerta strigata occupies a wide variety of habitats within its range. It is found in the steppes and mountain-steppes in areas of semi-desert; by the banks of rivers, small streams and canals; in meadows; along the borders of steppe-forest; in fallow cultivated lands; the margins of vineyards and gardens; and along roadsides. Within this area the lizards avoid barren places or low vegetation, preferring to live around small bushes, brambles, wild rose or dense weeds. Cover is sought in rodent holes or within rock piles. The lizards sometimes dig burrows that can measure 20 to 26 inches in length. This species has been recorded at altitudes of 3,000 meters in some regions.

These lizard mate in May, and between 6 and 11 eggs are laid around June-July. Most females lay two clutches of eggs each year, during the above mentioned months, thus giving a total of 12-22 eggs for each female per year. Incubation of the eggs is only six weeks. And hatchlings have a SVL of 1.2 to 1.28 inches. Maturity is reached after 22 to 23 months.

Local lizards, such as Anolis carolinensis, Sceleporus undulatus, or Eumeces fasciatus occasionally take up residence inside a L. strigata enclosure. I never noticed any aggressive interference between L. strigata and these local lizards.

Lacerta strigata are beautiful, hardy, and relatively inexpensive lizards that are ideal for beginner hobbyist. They can be kept in outdoor terraria in many areas of the U.S., and should do particularly will in areas with low rainfall and low humidity.

For more information, including breeding info, please read "My Grozny Lizards; story and photos by Bert Langerwerf, Agama International, Inc." in the September 1996 issue of Reptiles Magazine (USA), pp. 76-83.

Grozny Lacertas at Agama International

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