Herpetology - Captive Breeding

Lacertids

Lacertids are the Old World typical lizards. They include the diminutive Viviparous Lizard (Lacerta vivipara) and range to large species like the Eyed Lizard (Lacerta lepida) and the Hieros Giant Lizard (Galloti simonyi simonyi).

I keep and breed a number of species in varying vivaria according to their requirements. I am fortunate in living on the South coast which means many species can be kept outdoors. I have a number of such vivaria ranging from 2m x 1.5m to 7m x 2.5m and 5m x 3.5m. Several of them also contain ponds. Species kept in these include the Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis) - see my conservation pages, Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis), Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata) and Italian Wall Lizard (Podarcis sicula) . I also have a total of 10m x 2.5m of greenhouse - the inhabitants of this include the Eyed Lizard and Schreiber's Green Lizard (Lacerta schreiberii).

Due to the size of the vivaria and the emulation of their natural habitat the lizards all thrive and breed repeatedly. A number of the species are mixed and it is fascinating to watch their interaction. They are all mainly insectivorous and apart from naturally occurring food are given Field Crickets and mealworms - all well dusted with vitamin supplement. All of them hibernate from around October to March and each Spring is a time of pleasure as they emerge and prepare to breed.

They are, in any event, lively and inquisitive lizards and many a happy hour can be spent in the summer months watching them.

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