# Common Wall Lizard (*Podarcis muralis*) The Common Wall Lizard is a small lizard that loves to bask in the sun. It has a long, slender body and can change color based on its surroundings. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 67 - **Habitat:** Walls, rocks, and gardens. - **Also known as:** Mediterranean Wall Lizard ![Common Wall Lizard](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426154/objects/5609.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Wall Lizard has a slender body, often with a flattened appearance, and ranges from brown to grey or greenish. It typically features dark spots or a net-like pattern, often with two faint light stripes down its back, making it blend seamlessly with rocky or urban surfaces. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Lacertidae - **Genus:** Podarcis ## Interesting facts - Some wall lizards thrive in bustling cities, living right alongside people in gardens! - These speedy lizards can shed and regrow their tails if a predator grabs them! - They use their excellent eyesight to spot tiny insect snacks from far away. - Wall lizards love to sunbathe on rocks to warm up and get energy for their day. ## Special abilities - **Tail Ejector:** Common Wall Lizards can drop their tail when grabbed, which wriggles to distract predators while they escape. - **Climbing Master:** Common Wall Lizards have specially adapted toes to grip rough surfaces, allowing them to climb walls and rocks with ease. - **Quick Change Artist:** Their varied skin patterns and colors help them camouflage perfectly into rocky or urban environments. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-7 years - **Speed:** 18 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-10 - **Incubation:** 40-70 days ## Diet & Feeding They mostly munch on tiny insects and other small critters found on walls and rocks. - **Primary Foods:** flies, beetles, spiders, crickets, ants - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [domestic cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Common predator in gardens. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian magpie](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-magpie) (*Pica pica*) — Birds often prey on lizards. - **Hunts:** red wood ant (*Formica rufa*) — Lizards eat many insect species. - **Eaten by:** [grass snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix natrix*) — Snakes are natural predators. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Wall Lizard? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Common Wall Lizard? 15-20 cm ### How much does Common Wall Lizard weigh? 0.005-0.02 kg ### How long does Common Wall Lizard live? 5-7 years ### How fast can Common Wall Lizard move? 18 km/h ### What does Common Wall Lizard eat? They mostly munch on tiny insects and other small critters found on walls and rocks. ### Where is Common Wall Lizard usually found? Walls, rocks, and gardens. ### How does Common Wall Lizard hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Zoo Dortmund](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-dortmund) — North Rhine-Westphalia, DE · Zoo - [Zoo d'Amnéville](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-damn-ville) — Grand Est, FR · Zoo - [Dayton Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dayton-street-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Gilbert-Sinton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gilbert-sinton-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Hauck Botanic Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hauck-botanic-gardens) — Ohio, US · Botanical Garden - [Holy Cross Church and School Complex-Latonia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/holy-cross-church-and-school-complex-latonia) — Kentucky, US · Campus [View all places to see Common Wall Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-wall-lizard) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Common Wall Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-wall-lizard)