Sand Lizard
Lacerta agilis
A western Eurasian Lacerta — throughout western Georgia, and above 600–800 m in the east.
Overview
What is Sand Lizard
The sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) is a lacertid. Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 list it as biologically confirmed, with a broad western Eurasian range. It occurs everywhere in western Georgia; in eastern Georgia above 600–800 m. The checklist names three subspecies: L. a. ioriensis (eastern Georgia), L. a. grusinica (western Georgia), L. a. brevicaudata (southern and central Georgia). The figure is from Ivlita village; barcodes are from Tskruti and Tianeti. It is harmless to people.
Last updated
Gallery
Sand Lizard in photos
Photo: zaharozaur
Photo: სანდრო ხახვა
Photo: სანდრო ხახვა
Photo: Lennart Hudel
Photo: Kamilya Medeubaeva
Identification
How to identify Sand Lizard
A Lacerta widespread in the west and at elevation in the east. Compare L. strigata and L. media.
- 01
A diurnal lacertid; not a Darevskia rock lizard.
- 02
In eastern Georgia the checklist places it above 600–800 m.
- 03
Three subspecies: ioriensis, grusinica, brevicaudata.
- 04
Harmless to people.
Yes. Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026: everywhere in the west; in the east above 600–800 m. The figure is from Ivlita.
Harmless. It has no venom.
L. strigata is in semiarid habitats throughout the country. L. agilis in the east is tied to elevation. Colour is not enough.
The checklist: ioriensis in the east, grusinica in the west, brevicaudata in the south and centre.
- Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 — Annotated checklist of Georgia's amphibians and reptiles
- Iankoshvili & Tarkhnishvili 2021 — Georgian herpetofauna records cited in Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026
- The Reptile Database
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
