Lizard
The Avesta says Ahriman, the evil spirit, created the lizard to destroy earth and water. Thinking it was evil, the ancient Zoroastrians didn't like lizards. They considered lizards a khrafstra. This means that people could kill lizards so that their sins would be forgiven. The ancient Greeks noticed that the magi (the ancient Zoroastrian priests) killed lizards anywhere they saw them.
Many different species of lizards live in today's Iran. Some live in the central desert like this Agama Persica (above).
Many different species of lizards live in today's Iran. Some live in the central desert like this Agama Persica (above).
Some live in the dense forests near the Caspian Sea like this green-bellied lizard (Lacerta chlorogaster) (left).
Others are very rare and can be only found in Iran like this dwarf gecko (Tropiocolotes latifi) (left).
Some are quite large like this desert monitor (Varanus griseus caspius) which lives in Khuzestan province of Iran. (left).