Status Least Concern
Size Length: 30cm
Gestation 2 months
Young 3-12 eggs are laid
Life span Up to 6 years
Painted dragons are opportunistic feeders, and will eat a large variety of prey, particularly insects such as ants, bees and wasps, as well as other invertebrates such as snails. They will also eat plant material and even occasionally small lizards or hatchling birds.
These lizards are found across a wide area, including in Greece, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Egypt. They live in a variety of rocky arid and semi-arid areas, often in mountainous or coastal regions.
Painted dragons usually breed between March and early June. They dig a nest in the ground to lay their eggs in. Females may lay up to two clutches of eggs a year.
Painted dragons are categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN because they are found across a wide range of areas and there are currently no major threats to the species. They are also found in many protected areas.
This species is able to change colour, and they often turn lighter when they are warm and darker when they are cold.
Painted dragons are usually light or dark brown or grey, but dominant males may be brightly coloured and often have reddish-brown, turquoise and pale brown markings.
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On Tuesday the 8th of November I went to marwell with Sparsholt college and had the time of my life. Me and my friends went on the tractor ride there times and was amazing! The gift shop is fantastic and has a range of goods and the cafeteria sold some exquisite… Read full reviewHannah, 12th November 2016