Pontic Meadow Lizard
Darevskia pontica
Pontic Meadow Lizard — recorded from Georgia. Candidate species.
At a glance
Key facts in one look
Habitat
Rocky / open habitats
Length
Typically under 8 cm SVL (plus tail)
Venom
None
Conservation
See IUCN
Family
Lacertidae
Overview
Who is Pontic Meadow Lizard
Pontic Meadow Lizard (Darevskia pontica) is recorded from Georgia. It is treated as a candidate species pending further integrative validation. This page summarises occurrence and general natural history from scientific sources; fine-scale districts are given only when explicitly supported.
Last updated
Gallery
Pontic Meadow Lizard in photos
Identification
How to identify Pontic Meadow Lizard
How to recognise Pontic Meadow Lizard.
- 01
Small lacertid lizard; many Darevskia species are similar and need careful comparison.
- 02
Often associated with rocks and stone surfaces.
- 03
Identification in the Caucasus should use regional keys and verified photos.
Biology
Diet, behavior, and conservation
Diet
Mostly small invertebrates, especially insects and spiders.
Behavior
Mostly diurnal; many species bask on rocks or vegetation and retreat to crevices when threatened.
Conservation
Recorded in Georgia. Local threats may include habitat degradation and collection.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the most important questions about Pontic Meadow Lizard.
Yes. It is among the 68 amphibians and reptiles formally recorded from Georgia.
Candidate status is used when species rank still needs contact-zone and multi-marker validation.
Site classification: Harmless. Venom: None.
Mostly small invertebrates, especially insects and spiders.
References
Sources & References
References
Sources & References
- 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
- IUCN Red List
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
