I managed to photograph a lizard in Haruvit Forest, Israel. I would like to know - what lizard species is this? Size appr. 20-25cm
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$\begingroup$ Could you estimate the size of the lizard? $\endgroup$– theforestecologist ♦Feb 27, 2016 at 18:20
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$\begingroup$ Try to assign a size relative to something. for example, would the lizard fit in your hand, or it closer to the size of your foot? $\endgroup$– theforestecologist ♦Feb 27, 2016 at 18:25
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$\begingroup$ About 20-25 cm. $\endgroup$– BenjliFeb 27, 2016 at 18:28
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1 Answer
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This lizard is likely a Roughtail Rock Agama (Stellagama stellio or Laudakia stellio). They are colloquially referred to as hardon (or hardun) lizards.
According to Wikipedia:
Like many agamids, stellions can change color to express their moods. They bask on stone walls, rocks, and trees. They are usually found in rocky habitats, and are quite shy, being very ready to dive into cracks to hide from potential predators.
More from natureisreal:
The most commonly seen local lizard where I live in central Israel is probably the roughtail rock agama (laudakia stellio stellio), known locally as a hardon or hardun. They are rather sinister looking with rough dark armoured skin, but perfectly harmless. If frightened they run away and hide in the crevice of a rock or tree, inflating their skin and opening their mouth wide to wedge themsevles into the space, making it impossible to dislodge them. Sometimes I see a large dark male surveying his territory from the top of the nearby water tower.More usually they are to be seen during the warmest times of day sunning themselves on rocks, to the extent that it seems that each rocks has its own resident hardon, and believe me, this country is full of rocks, and that makes for a lot of these lizards...
answered Feb 27, 2016 at 19:29