Timon tangitanus

Timon tangitanus
	Timon tangitanus at the Prague Zoo
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Lacertidae
Genus:	Timon
Species:	T. tangitanus
Binomial name
	Timon tangitanus; (Boulenger, 1887)
Synonyms
	Lacerta tangitanus Boulenger, 1887; Lacerta ocellata tangitana Boulenger 1889; Timon tangitanus — Schluter 2004: 44; Timon tangitanus — Mateo et al. 2005; Lacerta (Timon) tangitana — Montori et al. 2005; Timon tangitanus — Arnold et al. 2007; Lacerta (Timon) pater tangitanus — Sindaco & Jeremcenko 2008;

Timon tangitanus, common name Moroccan Eyed Lizard, is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family.

Description

Timon tangitanus can reach a length of about 70 cm. The body is green or brown, with blue ocelli on the back. For decades this species has been regarded as belonging to the genus Lacerta. It mainly feed on invertebrates, but also on fruits.

Distribution

It is found in Northwest Africa (mountains of north western Algeria, mediterranean regions of Morocco and Western Sahara).

Habitat

Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, and Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation. It prefers woodland edge, scrub and rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss.

References

Miras, J.A.M., El Mouden, H., Pleguezuelos, J. & Slimani, T. 2005. Timon tangitanus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 28 July 2007.

External links

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