Dahl's 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 Endangered EN B1a+2a.

Distribution. Distributed in Northern Armenia and Southern Georgia up to the north of the Kura riparian foothills.

Distribution in Armenia. Contemporary range is split into several fragmented populations, all of which live in Northern Armenia.

Habitats. Occurs on relatively arid slopes and rocks at 900–1700 m above sea level within the forest zone. Somewhere penetrates to stony grasslands, retaining fidelity to forest edges, roads and shrubs. Often lives in wooded ruins, on masonries and building walls.

Biological traits. Comes outwards after hibernation in early to mid–April. Feeds on insects and their larvae, spiders and earthworms. Reproduction through parthenogenesis. Eggs are laid from early June to mid–July, 2–5 eggs/clutch. Hatchlings emerge from mid–August to late September.

Population size and its trends. The range represents a set of small isolated patches in which population trends are unknown.

Major threats. Road reconstruction and microclimatic changes ensuing from reduced river flows.

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