Corpse Lizard

Overview

These tiny lizards are dark green to black in colour; with males having a red strip along each side. They are most often found in or near standing water in mountainous or hilly regions. Their six stubby limbs end in small webbed feet which combined with their long tails help them swim with remarkable agility. The average adult of this species is between 10-20 cm long, with 50% of their length being tail.

From such swampy areas they venture out in search of dead animals. Should they find such a feast, they eat their fill, and then lay a great deal of eggs (100~150) in the carcass and return to the water.

The most common encounter with these tiny creatures is the swarming mass of newly hatched young devouring a carcass. Some predators will wait for just such swarming to catch a meal themselves. Only a few young escape to return to the watery home of their parents.

These scavengers are wary of other creatures and generally show animal intelligence. As adults they lead solitary lives coming together only to mate.

As cold blooded creatures they are most active during warm weather and will hibernate through the winter months.

Common Names

Corpse Lizard, Grub Newts, Balaryn Dym (Kythus)

Description

Classification

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Size

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Appearance

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Sexual dimorphism

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Ecology

Habitat

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Diet

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Behaviour

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Temperament

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Intelligence

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Reproduction

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Sub-Species

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Domestication

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Resources

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See Also

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