Reptiles
Sand Lizard
Lacerta agilis · Șopârlă de câmp
A stocky lizard of sunny grasslands and field edges; males turn bright green in the breeding season.
At a glance
- Status in Romania
- Resident
- Habitat
- Meadow
- Activity
- Daytime
- Diet
- Insects, spiders and other small invertebrates.
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Photography difficulty
- Moderate
Identification
Short legs, broad head and brown back with dark spots. Breeding males have green flanks.
Habitat
Dry grasslands, heaths, field edges and sunny banks with cover.
Distribution
Much of Europe and into central Asia, including Romania.
Approximate range in Romania
When it is active
Daytime
Diet
Insects, spiders and other small invertebrates.
Behaviour
Basks in the sun in the morning and hibernates through the winter.
Seasonality in Romania
How to find it
Sunny, sheltered banks on warm spring and summer mornings.
Photography
General guidance based on the species’ behaviour, not a report of Nick’s personal field experience.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Ethics
- Do not catch or handle lizards for a photograph.
Practical starting points, not fixed rules.