Takydromus smaragdinus

Takydromus smaragdinus, the green grass lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae.

Takydromus smaragdinus
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Lacertoidea
Family:	Lacertidae
Genus:	Takydromus
Species:	T. smaragdinus
Binomial name
Takydromus smaragdinus Boulenger, 1887

Geographic range

It is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan, including the Tokara Islands Takarajima and Kodakarajima, the Amami Islands and Okinawa Islands. The area of occupancy of all the islands combined is around 2600 km².^[2][1]

Activity

Takydromus smaragdinus is diurnal. It preys on insects and spiders.^[1]

Reproduction

The females lay several clutches of eggs in April to August with two eggs per clutch. The eggs hatch after about a month. The juveniles are left without parental care and reach maturity in a year.^[1]

Threats

The IUCN lists the species as near threatened due to invasive weasels and mongooses that have led to a decline in some subpopulations.^[1]