Takydromus
Takydromus is a genus of lizards, commonly called grass lizards or oriental racers. Species of the genus "Takydromus" are endemic to a large part of Asia. Members of this genus are noticeable because of their slender appearance and their agile movements. The word "takydromus" derives from Greek ταχυδρόμος ("takhudromos"), "fast-running", from ταχύς ("takhus"), "swift" + δρόμος ("dromos"), "course, race". Description. Members of the genus "Takydromus" are extremely slender in appearance. The tail is about 2 to 5 times as long as the snout-vent length. The basic colour is normally brown, often with lateral stripes and dark spots . The dorsal scales are keeled and large. These keels form continuous longitudinal rows. The toes contain lamellae. The collar may be reduced or completely absent. Distribution and habitat. The lizard genus "Takydromus" is found in Japan, in the Amur region of Russia, and throughout entire eastern Asia to Indonesia. These lizards are mainly terrestrial although some species can be found on trees. Some members of this genus are found both on rocks and in relatively damp forests. Other species inhabit open grasslands. Reproduction. Females of species of "Takydromus" lay 1–10 eggs per clutch and up to 6 clutches per year . Species. The genus "Takydromus" belongs to the lizard subfamily Lacertinae, tribe Lacertini, and contains the following species: "Nota bene": A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than "Takydromus".