''Gastropholis prasina'', the green keel-bellied lizard, is a species of lizard belonging to the family

Lacertidae The Lacertidae are the family (biology), family of the wall lizards, true lizards, or sometimes simply lacertas, which are native to Afro-Eurasia. It is a diverse family with at least 300 species in 39 genera. They represent the dominant group o ...

Distribution

This species is native to areas in the coastal plain of

Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

and

Tanzania Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and ...

Habitat

''G. prasina'' inhabits forests, woodland and thickets of the coastal plain. It has been found both close to the ground and higher in the canopy, where it is thought to use small branches as perches. It has been observed sleeping on branches, supported by its large tail.

Description

Green keel-bellied lizard (Gastrophalis prasina)

The green keel-bellied lizard is a slim, bright green lizard with a long

prehensile Prehensility is the quality of an appendage or organ (anatomy), organ that has Adaptation (biology), adapted for grasping or holding. The word is derived from the Latin term ''prehendere'', meaning "to grasp". The ability to grasp is likely der ...

tail that accounts for about 70% of its body length. The scales on its back are small, smooth and non-overlapping, and emerald-green in colour. The scales on its underside are yellow-green and keeled. There are patches of turquoise around its limbs, and occasionally black speckled lines along the sides of its body and black speckles on its tail. Its tongue is bright red. It can grow up to a length of 40 cm, with average individuals measuring 25–35 cm. Juveniles are 11–12 cm long. Its digits are long and spindly, with a hooked claw at the end.

Biology and behaviour

This species is active during the day and arboreal. Its diet predominantly consists of insects, but it has been known to eat smaller lizards in captivity. Mating behaviour consists of the male biting the female's neck, and intertwining tails. It is

oviparous Oviparous animals are animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive method of most fish, amphibians, most reptiles, and all pterosaurs, dinosaurs (including birds), and ...

. In captivity, it lays clutches of five eggs in the early autumn.

References

*Ashe, J. & Ashe, S. (1999) - Some notes on Gastropholis prasina. - British Herpetological Society Bulletin, 66: 31–34.

External links

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5078140 prasina Reptiles described in 1904 Taxa named by Franz Werner