About Phoenicolacerta troodica (Werner, 1936)
Phoenicolacerta troodica is a small lizard. It reaches a maximum total length of 15 centimeters (5.9 inches), with a more typical total length of 10 centimeters (3.9 inches). Its base body color ranges from brownish green to greyish green. A broad, longitudinal dark brown stripe runs along each side of its body from the snout all the way to the tail. A white line runs along the lower edge of this dark stripe, separating the stripe from the lizard's pale underside. During the breeding season, males develop orange blotches on the sides of their heads; their underside also turns orange, and blue and red spots appear along their flanks. This lizard is endemic to the island of Cyprus. It can be found across the whole of Cyprus, from sea level up to 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) above sea level, and lives in a wide variety of habitats. The most critical requirement for its habitat is the availability of shade.
