Stats

Lifespan: 5-10 yrs
Size: Small
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Montane grassland
Range: Caucasus
Movement: Climbing
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Camouflage
Status: Rare

About

A small rock lizard endemic to Armenia, known for populations that reproduce entirely by parthenogenesis — all individuals are female and produce offspring without fertilisation.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling
A miniature lizard cuts itself free from its egg and starts hunting tiny insects within days.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile sheds repeatedly as it grows, often duller-colored than adults and quick to dart for cover.
3.
adult
Fully grown with adult coloration and size.

Learn more

View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Darevskia
Species: Darevskia nairensis