Abstract
The escape behavior of the green lizard (Lacerta viridis) was investigated in natural conditions of the Slovak Karst, Slovakia. The seasonal changes of approach distances and types of escape behavior were monitored for both sexes, also in relation to differences in anthropogenic influence. In our study, the escape behavior of green lizard changed significantly during the season, and differ significantly between localities and in respect to human disturbance. At the beginning of the season, females stayed in close proximity to a refuge and hid immediately after being disturbed. Among males, the distance to and from a refuge was longer and any accessible protrusions were used to hide. The approach distance was greater among males. During the mating period, approach distance for females and males was similar and both sexes hid in a refuge. However, after the mating period, the approach distance for females was decreasing, whereas that of males begun to increase.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education of Slovak Republic and the Slovak Academy of Sciences No. 1-1284-04 (I. Majláth). We thank Jakub Z. Kosicki for his help with the statistical analysis and Martin Hromada for the critical reading of the manuscript and helpful comments.
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Majláth, I., Majláthová, V. Escape behavior of the green lizard (Lacerta viridis) in the Slovak Karst. acta ethol 12, 99–103 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-009-0063-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-009-0063-8