Meadow lizard: Red Data Book of Armenia

Lacertids — Lacertidae

Status. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Near Threatened NT. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii)+2a.

Distribution. North–west of the Balkan Peninsula, Caucasus, Northwestern Iran.

Distribution in Armenia. Scattered populations are recorded in Northern Armenia.

Habitats. Occurs in foothill and montane forests, especially broadleaf ones, where it inhabits forest edges, glades, roads and shrubs.

Biological traits. Feeds on insects – small beetles, ants, orthopterans, larvae, spiders and worms. The hibernation period ends in late April. Mating occurs in late May, 2–6 eggs are laid from mid–June to mid–July. Hatchlings emerge in August–September.

Population size and its trends. Unknown.

Major threats. Deterioration of typical ecosystems and habitats through deforestation.

Conservation measures. Protected in Dilijan National Park. It is essential to estimate the species abundance and to assess its population status.