GIANT GOMERAN LIZARD
Dimensions (inches): 20 x 15 Medium: acrylic Description: In June of 1999 a party of biologists in the Canary Islands captured a large lizard of the genus Gallotia. This genus is endemic to the archipelago, and is closely related to the well-known European wall lizards of the genera Lacerta and Podarcis. Like those mainland reptiles, species of Gallotia are generally rather small, but this Giant from the western island of Gomera can reach two feet in length. Known previously from subfossils on the island, the species, G. bravoana was thought to have gone extinct in recent history. Now considered Europe's rarest reptile, a conservation and captive breeding program have been put into effect. This painting was executed specifically as a fund-raiser for the program. The rocky bluff depicted is typical of the habitat of these lizards on Gomera. Such habitat is likely not their preference, but the only part of the island where they are not vulnerable to feral cats. The plant in the foreground is a Balo (Plocama pendula), an important component of the Gomeran Giant Lizard's diet.
Original Available For Sale:
No
Limited Edition Available:
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Direct Correspondence to:
Carel Brest van Kempen c/o
PO Box 17647 Holladay, UT
USA 84117 Tel: 801-474-2505