Discover New Species of Lizard With a Row of Fake Eyes

Specialists discovered a vividly colored lizard and its friends while scouring a region of Georgia near a mountain lake. According to the researchers, the lizards were discovered hiding between the rocks. 

After collecting 23 specimens, scientists recognized they had found a new species of rock lizard called Darevskia arribasi, also known as Arribas’ rock lizard. According to photographs they took while in Georgia, female Arribas rock lizards are brown with black and brown spots running along their backs. 

Males have back areas of black and are a vivid, nearly neon green color. They have what appears to be a row of faux eyes, likely for protection in the wild. According to studies, the boulders in alpine woodlands and pastures are home to the Arribas rock lizards. 

Common Types of Rock Lizards

Technically, a rock lizard includes nearly every lizard species. Since lizards have cold blood, they often warm themselves by basking on warm boulders. Additionally, lizards frequently hide out in cracks in the rock and consume plants that sprout on rocks. 

The term “rock lizards” refers to a particular category of lizard species that are found all over the world. Here are a handful of the more common types of rock lizards you may be familiar with. 

The California Rock Lizard

The eastern dunes of California, are home to the California rock lizard, also referred to as the banded rock lizard. This small lizard narrows itself along big boulders to effortlessly go around their pronounced curves when moving from one location to another. 

According to reports, these lizards are curious and let humans get sufficiently close to observe them well. These rock lizards hide in a fissure when they are disturbed for protection.

Mearns’ Rock Lizard

Although it inhabits closer to the Mexican border, the Mearn’s rock lizard is extremely similar to California rock lizards. Rockier locations in Baja, CA as well as Mexico’s west coast are home to Baja blue rock lizards. 

With their brightly colored blue heads, reddish-orange eye rings, golden necks with blue markings, and gray backs and tails, these lizards are easily identifiable. 

Aran Rock Lizard

Another common type is the Aran Rock Lizard. These critters live near mountains on the border between France and Spain. Aran Rock Lizards are quite small, only growing to roughly seven inches long.

Their tails take up a third of their body length! These lizards have deep brown heads with a lighter shade of brown along their backs. The abdomen of an Aran Rock Lizard can be green or yellow. 

Unlike other rock lizards, this species is critically endangered.