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Trees- ShrubsSnake-eyed Lacertid (Ophisops elegans)
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Ophisops elegans is a small ground dwelling lizard species, usually obtaining a snout-vent length of five centimetres, with the tail comprising twice the body length again (1). It is easily recognised by the fact that it lacks eyelids; instead it has a translucent spectacle that covers the eyes (as found in snakes), which results in the eye not being able to be closed (1). The scales on the body are large, pointed and clearly keeled.
There are a few variations in colour morphs. It can be brown with a green tinge on the dorsal surface with two stripes along the flanks. The upper stripe tends to be a dark green, and surrounded by black spots or lines. The belly is usually pale, the throat yellow and the tail is often a red colour (1).
There are 23 species and sub-species recognised within the genus of Ophisops (2). There is no obvious variation within the European species, and no similar species with regards to appearance within Europe (1).
Generally it will bury itself at night time underneath soft soil or sand. It is most active during the day (1). It can pull its spectacle downwards in order to cleanse the eye surface of dust particles. This is done by using the muscle that opens the lower eyelid, so the spectacle is wiped against the upper edge of the suborbital scale (1).
In a year the female can lay up to three clutches of around one to six eggs. The hatchlings have an approximate total body length of five centimeters. Sexual maturity is reached in their second spring, and Ophisops elegans is a relatively short-lived species (1).
Ophisops elegans spends the majority of its time on the ground, and is frequently encountered in arid, open plains with low scrub and sparse vegetation (1) (3). Is also found on rocky substrate; very rarely on bare ground (1) (3). It can be found up to 2000 m above sea level (3).
It can be found throughout Balkan countries, including Bulgaria; Mediterranean islands and the Aegean islands (including Ikaria, Samos, Lesbos and Rhodes). It can also be found in Turkey and parts of south-west Asia (1) (3).
The Snake-eyed Lacertid is an opportunistic lizard species and will eat any prey in its environment that it has the ability to consume. The majority of its prey is made up of insects and larval forms of insects (2).
Ophisops elegans is currently not evaluated on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (4); it is however, listed under Appendix II of BERN Convention (5).
Description written by Ben Harvey (2009)
(1) Arnold, E.N., 2004. A field guide to the reptiles and amphibians of Britain and Europe. 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers
(2) Ophisops elegans in: Zipcode Zoo 2009. <http://www.zipcodezoo.com/Animals/O/Ophisops_elegans/> Downloaded on 06 July 2009
(3) Akkaya, A. And Ugurtas, I.H. (2006). The feeding biology of Ophisops elegans Ménétriés, 1832 (Reptilia: Lacertidae) Populations of the Bursa region. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 30: p357-360
(4) Ophisops elegans in: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. <www.iucnredlist.org> Downloaded on 06 July 2009
(5) Europe, C.o., 2002. Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats: Bern Convention. [Online] Available at: http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/FR/Treaties/Html/104-2.htm [Accessed 23 July 2009]
