Ocellated Lizard

Reptilia → Squamata → Lacertidae → Timon → Timon lepidus

Laiò, Sgurbia

The Ocellated Lizard ( Timon lepidus ) is the largest European lacertid, characterized by a robust body that can reach up to 24 in (60 cm) in length, about two thirds of which is tail.

Adult males feature a particularly strong head and powerful jaws, highlighted by bright coloring and a fine blackish netting on the back.

Rows of bright blue eyespots, bordered in black along the flanks, are especially prominent in males during the breeding season.

Females are less showy, with smaller size and colors similar to juveniles, mainly grayish with smaller eyespots. At birth, the young measure about 2.8 in (7 cm) and show a light coloration with distinctive patterns already visible.

The Ocellated Lizard is found in the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, and western Liguria, reaching the eastern limit of its range in this region.

In Liguria, particularly in the province of Savona, its presence is limited to a few historical sites, now joined by others discovered more recently, such as Garlenda, Toirano, and Boissano.

It occurs from sea level up to 2,300 ft (700 meters) in altitude, but does not cross the Tyrrhenian watershed.

It prefers open, sunny Mediterranean environments such as garrigues, olive groves, dry stone walls, and abandoned quarries.

Vegetation is generally sparse, favoring sun exposure and substrates suitable for thermoregulation.

A diurnal species, the Ocellated Lizard is highly sun-loving and resistant to high temperatures.

Active from March to October, during the breeding season males become territorial and fight for dominance.

From April to June, the female lays 7 to 20 eggs in protected places such as rock crevices or under logs.

The eggs usually hatch by September.

Thanks to a shy behavior and quick escape, it is difficult to approach these lizards without disturbing them.

Generally insectivorous, it feeds on a variety of invertebrates, but also on small vertebrates, including other lizards, rodents, and snakes.

It occasionally enjoys ripe fruit, confirming its opportunistic diet.

The Ocellated Lizard faces predators such as the Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo), the Montpellier snake ( Malpolon monspessulanus ), and terrestrial carnivores such as the European badger (Meles meles) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes).

Young lizards are especially vulnerable to a wider range of predators.

Harmless to humans, the Ocellated Lizard represents a unique natural heritage in Liguria, where the species is protected due to habitat fragmentation and rarity.

This reptile is often admired for its impressive size and vivid colors.