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Common lizard for Boreocypriensis


Common lizard for Boreocypriensis
Photo Information
Copyright: Hans Hendriks (hansh) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 277 W: 1 N: 741] (2762)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-23
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon 20D, Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Dedications to Bayram-II, Bayram's Favourites-III, Reptiles - Lizards, Chuckwallas, Agamas & Tegus 5 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2010-01-09 1:59
Viewed: 3367
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I would like to dedicate this posting to Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) to celebrate his 2nd anniversary on TN.
He is a great contributor on TN and helps a lot members by posting great pictures, helps other photographers to increase there skills and helps to give an ID if wanted.
Bayram MF i hope you like this one.

Gr. Hans

The viviparous lizard or common lizard (Zootoca vivipara, formerly Lacerta vivipara) is a Eurasian lizard. It lives farther north than any other reptile species, and most populations are viviparous (giving birth to live young), rather than laying eggs as most other lizards do.

The length of the body is less than 12 centimetres (5 in) (excluding the tail). The tail is 1.25 to 2 times longer than the body, although it is often partially or wholly lost. The limbs are short, and the head is rather round. Males have more slender bodies than females. The neck and the tail are thick. The collar and other scales seem jagged.

The colour and patterning of this species is remarkably variable. The main colour is typically mid-brown, but it can be also grey, olive brown or black. Females may have dark stripes on their flanks and down the middle of the back. Sometimes females also have light-coloured stripes, or dark and light spots along the sides of the back. Most males and some females have dark spots in their undersides. Males have brightly coloured undersides – typically yellow or orange, but more rarely red. Females have paler, whitish underparts. The throat is white, sometimes blue.

The viviparous lizard is widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia. Its range extends to the north of the Arctic Circle. It ranges from Ireland to Hokkaidō and Sakhalin. It is absent from most of the Mediterranean area, although it occurs in northern Portugal, northern Italy, Serbia, Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria. It is also absent from the area surrounding the Black Sea.
In the southern parts of its distribution range the species lives at high elevations, occurring as high as 3,000 metres in the Alps. In these areas the viviparous lizard lives in damp places or near water, including meadows, swamps, rice fields, by brooks and in damp forests. In the northern part of the range the species is also found in lowlands, where it occurs in drier environments, including open woodland, meadows, moorland, heathland, fens, dunes, rocks, roadsides, hedgerows and gardens. It lives mainly on the ground, although it may climb onto rocks, logs and low-growing vegetation.

The viviparous lizard feeds on invertebrates, mostly small insects. It shakes larger prey in its jaws before chewing it and swallowing it whole. In early spring, late autumn, and cool summer days it basks in the sun to reach its optimum body temperature, which is about 30°C.

The lizard mates in April or May. Males take females in their jaws before mating – if the female is not interested, she will bite the male fiercely. The offspring develops for approximately three months inside the female.

The name of the species is derived from its ability to give birth to live young, an adaptation to a cool climate – but some southern populations are oviparous (egg-laying). The 3-10 young (or eggs) are usually produced in July. The blackish young measure about 3 cm, and when first born are surrounded by egg membrane, from which they break free after about a day. Males reach sexual maturity at two years old, females at three years old. Individuals from viviparous and oviparous populations may be hybridised, but with significant embryonic malformation (Heulin et al. 1989).

In northern regions viviparous lizards begin hibernation in September or October, underground or in log piles. Hibernation ends about mid-February. Further south the species is active throughout the year.
nkasot, maurydv, siggi, xTauruSx, horias, marius-secan, anemone, marianas, nglen, CatherineD, zulfu, Hussain58, boreocypriensis, Dis. Ac. has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Hans, amazing macro capture of this pretty viviparous lizard and great dedication to a well-known Cypriot herpetologist Prof. Göçmen.
TFS and greetings from Cyprus.
Nazım

Hi Hans.
Very good photo of this lizard,useful note and nice dedication for Bayram.
Best regards.Alin.

Ciao Hans, great dedication to our friend Bayram, splendid portrait of lovely lizard with wonderful details and excellent sharpness, very well done my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Hello Hans,
a superb dedication to our friend Bayram, outstanding sharpness and lighting, marvellous colours with splendid colour tones, excellent POV, DOF and close composition, very well done.
TFS
Have a good weekend
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2010-01-09 2:55]

Klasse Hans,
Prachtige foto en erg toepasselijk met deze hagedis opgedragen aan Bayram. De foto is scherp, schitterende natuurlijke kleuren, vanuit een goed laag standpunt genomen en plezierig oogcontact. Mooie natuurlijke omgeving.
Warm weekend,
Peter

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 967 W: 26 N: 3888] (16941)
  • [2010-01-09 7:03]

Hello Hans
Today something new from you. Wonderful portrait ...
Regards
Razvan

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2010-01-09 7:36]

Hello Hans.
Excellent capture.The colors are stunning and the details on the lizard are really awesome. Details on the ground are also crystal clear. POV & DOF are great. Light in this photo is stunning. A fantastic picture. Really well done. TFS!Best regards Siggi

Hello Hans, excellent shot of a lovely lizard in a beautiful pose. Great dedication too.
TFS and regards,
Deniz

  • Great 
  • horias Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 837 W: 58 N: 2084] (11033)
  • [2010-01-09 8:28]

Hans
Wonderful lizard!
Great sharp details and colors.
Congratulation!
Horia

hallo Hans
Een super scherpe Macro foto
zeer goed van details en super mooie kleuren
Weer een pracht plaatje erbij
groetjes lou

Hello Hans,
Excellent sharp details and lovely colours.
Great capture with exceptional clarity and good focus in his natural habitat.
Marius.

Hi Hans
Impressive photo of a lizard with nice details, POV and composition. Wonderful dedication to Prof. Bayram too.
thanks for sharing
Best regards
Özgür

Hans
What a sharp lizard!
Great colors and details.
Wonderful!
Mariana

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2010-01-09 11:40]

Hi Hans. This is a first class close up of the Common lizard . I am sure are friend Bayram will like this picture. You took this with sharp focusing and fien detail all withrich colours. TFS.
Nick..

Hello Hans,
Excellent capture with fine colors and sharp details! Nice dedication for Bayram. Best regards,
Catherine

Hi Hans.
Perfect dedication for Dr. Bayram..I am sure he will like it..
Excellent picture with great details and natural colors..
TFS.
Regards
Leyla

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 685 W: 0 N: 2] (43)
  • [2010-01-09 15:38]

Hello Hans,
Superb close-up shot of this beautiful lizard with nice composition and framing. Nice dedication too.
TFS and G's,
Mehmet

Hello Hans,
Hope you'll be fine. Yes, indeed a great dedication shot to a very well respected person here on TN who is no doubt a great contributor but also a scholar, a blessing for all. This is a fine shot Hans, the colours all over are fantastic and show the adaptability of the lizard and how effectively it used its habitat.Your capturing it at right time gives this shot a natural touch which is necessary. In my view you are also a very scholarly person of this community.Thanks a lot for sharing a tribute photo...take care..warmest regards/Abid

Hi My dear friend Hans,

Thank you very much my friend. What an honour and privilege to receive this wonderful dedication.
On your shot is 1st class quality as usual. The way which you photographed this cute lizard also wonderful. Great details on its skin, nice exposure and wonderful colours as well.
Thanks once more my friend! I wish you all the best!
Have a great day!
Cheers,

Bayram
Ps. Sorry for late commenting. I had some internet connection problems to TN.

Hallo Hans,

zo deze heb ik nog niet, mooie foto van deze zandhagedis.
Je bent een goede aanwinst voor TN.
Foto wel druk maar ja kan ook niet anders mooie kleuren van de omgeving en gecamoufleede hagedis.

Gert

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