Sicilian Wall Lizard

Sicilian Wall Lizard ( Podarcis waglerianus )

The Sicilian Wall Lizard ( Podarcis waglerianus ) is a lizard species from the genus of wall lizards, which is endemic to Sicily, with the exception of the Northeast, the Aeolian and Egadi Islands.

Features

The Sicilian Wall Lizard reached a total length of 22-25 centimeters. Of this body reaches up to 7.5 inches and her tail about twice the length. The females are slightly smaller. Your back is usually green or olive-brown in females with a bright back side strips and one to three rows of black spot. The flanks have black and some bruising, although even individuals without drawing are known. The belly is lighter to whitish, reddish orange in the males, and the throat is black spotted.

Habitat

They are found only in Sicily, with the exception of the Northeast, the Aeolian and Egadi islands, with the latter on the subspecies P. w. marettimensis described. They live in flat and mountainous country until about 1600 meters above sea level, also to be found in cities according to other sources only up to 1200 meters, especially in arid and sparsely vegetated areas and are.

In contrast to the ruin lizard ( Podcaris sicula ) the Sicilian Wall Lizard living close to the ground and does not climb often on walls and stony slopes. While the latter is the more commonly encountered species in the interior of Sicily, the ruin lizard on the coast is widespread.

Way of life

The lizards are diurnal and live almost exclusively on the ground. They usually lay 4-6 eggs. These are about 11-13 mm × 7-9 mm. The young hatch after about eight weeks with a total length of 5.5-6 cm.