History and origin
Info needed

Characteristics
They are the most common lizard over most of its range found living in very close proximity with humans.

Description
=Size=
Eggs are around 9 x 5 mm when laid, but swell to reach 15 x 8 mm. They hatch out at around 20 to 25 mm long, they can grow up to 150 - 200 mm in length (including tail), body can be up to 6.5 cm long and tail measuring up to 2 times the length.
=Morphology=
They are slender agile long tail lizards, they have a small long head that's pointed. Their limbs are medium sized but robust. Their fingers are long and thin.
=Patterns & colours=
They are very variable, usually greyish or brownish, they have a pointed snout. The females of this species are usually uniform light brown with sometimes light stripes or patterns on the flanks, whilst the males have some spots along the back and flanks. Belly is usually creamy or sometimes beige or even rusty red.

Geographical range
They are found throughout the Iberian peninsula as well and southern France.

Subspecies
None described.

Sexual differences
The females are usually more distinctively marked (read above).

Seasonal variations
None.

Diet
They feed on insects.

Defensive habits
They flee at the slightest sign of danger. If caught this lizard is very defenseless and fragile.

Reproduction
Breeding occurs when they wake up from hibernation in spring. They usually lay between 1 to 5 eggs laid in rock cracks, under stones, they develop for 8 weeks. The eggs usually hatch out in July.

Sexual maturity, life span
The average life span for Podarcis liolepis is around 4 or 5 years. They reach their sexual maturity in their second year.

Habits
Active by day. When they are disturbed they run into a hole in a wall or into the stones of their habitat. Lives among other lizards of the same species. The males are very territorial.

Habitat
Found at under 3400 m altitude. They love climbing, and often found on boulders, large rocks, on walls, on tree trunks, and other high places with lots of sun... This lizard is usually encountered around human habitations (houses, gardens, sometimes on roofs).

Predators
They are hunted by birds, snakes and other.

 

Catalonian Wall lizard, Podarcis liolepis - © Daniel Phillips

Catalonian Wall lizard, Podarcis liolepis - © Daniel Phillips