The different species of green lizards

[chrisd]

Hi,

Can anyone help and explain to me how the different species of green lizards interact ? I know that there is controversy over the separation of Viridis and Billineata. Are Viridis, Billineata or the Trilineata fertile with each other and do people let them breed if so ? I lost my female Viridis this winter and the male is becoming very "friendly" with a female Trilineata that I have. Will fertile eggs be laid and if so will the young be fertile ? What problems can this cause

Chris

[viridis]

Chris ,
I certainly would not let billineata and trillineata breed with each other,they are definately different species.I woud separate them immediately,although I think that they are closey enough related to produce viable offspring.
With regard to billineata and viridis there is much debate about these.From what I can see on the internet and books they are closey linked and are very variable with both "species" having characteristics of the other depending on locality.

[chrisd]

Thanks Viridis for your reply. Out of interest what would be the concequence of letting the Bilineata(Viridis) and Trilineata breed?

Thanks,

Chris

[viridis]

I am sorry that I dont know for sure,they may be infertile but I believe that the two species will crossbreed.Unfortunately both species are not easy to come by and you may have to look to Europe.You could try an advert on here or on the other forums but European herps are very difficult to obtain as you know.

[peter]

I have a friend in Sweden that kept single specimens of L. trillineata and T. lepidus in the same terrarium. He got eggs and hatched one of them. This was a few years back and as far as I know he still has it.

[barb1]

That's very interesting. What a strange combination. I wonder if the crosses were fertile?

I too am left with a male Bilineata and very handsome he is, well at least I think it's a male. Not very big at the moment at 18 months. I think the Lepida would finish him off, I have a huge male, probably eat him!

Perhaps someone will have some young to spare this year. I am sure there was some advertised a while ago. Perhaps we need to put the word around.

[robv]

Chris - as far as I know they will interbreed but the young will be infertile. If you want to sell your female trilin I would be interested! I have an adult male polylepidota on his own and I am after any subspecies of trilineata to go with him.

[chrisd]

Hi Rob,

I have 2 female trillineata's and I may be interested in swopping a female for a female Billineata if you have one. I'll send you some pics through so you can confirm that they are female. they are still about the size of a small green lizard in size. By the way didn't I get them from you a few years ago ??
I lost my female Viridis this winter and I have some Male Viridis left (from Tom Halverson from a few years ago) can I breed them with a female Billineata or wouldn't you recommend it ??


Regards,

Chris

[chrisd]

Sorry Rob, It was Rob Pilley that I got the Trills from. I'm getting mixed up with you both.

Apologies !!

Chris !

[chrisd]

Hi Rob again,

I've posted some pictures of the trillineata (not the mated one) on www.freewebs.com/my-lizards let me know anyone else if you think that it not a female
Rob, let me know if you're up for a swop.

thanks

Chris

[robv]

Hi Chris - looks like a female to me, very pretty do you happen to know what subspecies it is?

I know Rob pretty well - he lives about 1/2 a mile from me as the crow flies and we have similar animals, although Rob's collections is a lot larger than mine!

I don't really have any surplus animals at the moment - but hopefully I will have both young bilineata and trilineata later on this year.

Great Weather here in the South West - working from home today and some of the animals are already coloring up for breeding.

Rob

[barb1]

Hi Rob,

Can you remember me for some Bilineata please?

[robv]

Hi Barb - no problem, male has already gone bright blue around the gills! Fingers crossed.

[barb1]

That's brill. I'll try and put up a pic. of my lonely male. He is looking bright green with spots!
B.