# Green Iberian Wall Lizard (*Podarcis virescens*) The Green Iberian Wall Lizard is a small, colorful lizard that loves to bask in the sun. It has bright green skin and can often be seen darting around in gardens and rocky areas. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Green Iberian Wall Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Podarcis_virescens.jpg&width=800) Photo: Duarte Frade, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Podarcis_virescens.jpg) ## Appearance The Green Iberian Wall Lizard is typically slender with bright green backs in males, often with black spots, especially during breeding season. Females and juveniles are usually browner with less distinct markings, sometimes with faint stripes. They have a striking yellowish or whitish belly. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Lacertidae - **Genus:** Podarcis ## Interesting facts - If a lizard drops its tail, a new one can slowly grow back! - Males glow bright green during mating season to impress females! - These quick lizards help control bug populations in gardens and fields! - They often lay their small clutches of eggs hidden away under rocks or logs! ## Special abilities - **Rock Climber Paws:** Green Iberian Wall Lizard has special scales and claws that help them cling to rough walls and rocks, reaching sunny spots. - **Sun Seeker Metabolism:** Green Iberian Wall Lizard can warm up quickly by basking in the sun, boosting their energy for hunting insects. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 18-24 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.015 kg - **Lifespan:** 4-7 years - **Speed:** 15 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 40-60 days ## Diet & Feeding This small lizard is an insect-eating machine, gobbling up tiny bugs found on rocks and plants! - **Primary Foods:** Spiders, Ants, Beetles, Caterpillars, Small snails, Grasshoppers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Kestrel (*Falco tinnunculus*) — A swift predator that hunts lizards from above. - **Eaten by:** Montpellier Snake (*Malpolon monspessulanus*) — This large snake actively hunts lizards in sunny habitats. - **Hunts:** Harvester Ant (*Messor barbarus*) — Preys on these common ants found scavenging in their habitat. - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus campestris*) — Actively pursues and eats this common insect in grassy areas. ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch lizards from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Green Iberian 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 Green Iberian Wall Lizard? 18-24 cm ### How much does Green Iberian Wall Lizard weigh? 0.005-0.015 kg ### How long does Green Iberian Wall Lizard live? 4-7 years ### How fast can Green Iberian Wall Lizard move? 15 km/h ### What does Green Iberian Wall Lizard eat? This small lizard is an insect-eating machine, gobbling up tiny bugs found on rocks and plants! ### Where is Green Iberian Wall Lizard usually found? Urban areas ### How does Green Iberian Wall Lizard hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Green Iberian Wall Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-iberian-wall-lizard)