Eremias

a genus of lizards. Members of the genus measure as much as 30 cm in length and are sandy or grayish in color, with stripes and spots. The genus embraces 23 species, which are distributed in Southwest, Middle, and Central Asia, Northern China, Korea, and Southeastern Europe. The USSR has 16 species.

The lizards inhabit semideserts and arid steppes, sometimes mountains. They feed on insects and other invertebrates, sometimes on small lizards and plants. The majority lay eggs, while some are ovoviviparous. A number of Asian and African species formerly assigned to Eremias are now classified in separate genera.