Daily activity, biometry and diet of the North African ocellated lizard Timon pater in Mount Chélia, north-eastern Algeria

Abstract

Although Timon pater is among the largest species of lacertids found throughout North Africa, mainly in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, studies examining the ecology of this lizard remain rare. In this paper we describe the daily activity patterns, biometry and diet of T. pater in a mountain area during its period of maximum activity. We carried out the field study in the southern slope of Mount Chélia in the middle of the Aurès Massif, north-eastern Algeria. In order to analyse the daily activity patterns we performed surveys along 4 000 m long random transects. To obtain biometrical measurements we captured and measured 20 adults with a digital calliper. We obtained diet data by analysing 17 extracted stomach contents. The daily activity patterns of T. pater were similar during the summer periods (early and late summer), and no variation in activity was detected. Adult males were slightly larger and heavier than adult females and their heads were longer, larger and thicker than females’ heads. T. pater primarily consumed Coleopterans, but diet composition was noticeably different between the two summer periods. There were no sexual differences in dietary preferences.