# Podarcis lusitanicus The Lusitanian wall lizard is a small, colorful reptile that loves to bask in the sun. It has a long body and can run quickly to escape from danger. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Podarcis lusitanicus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Podarcis_lusitanicus%252C_Jardins_do_Pal%C3%A1cio_de_Cristal%252C_Porto%252C_Porto%252C_Portugal_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_1809710.jpg&width=800) Photo: (c) Duarte Frade, some rights reserved (CC BY), CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Podarcis_lusitanicus%252C_Jardins_do_Pal%C3%A1cio_de_Cristal%252C_Porto%252C_Porto%252C_Portugal_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_1809710.jpg) ## Appearance The Podarcis lusitanicus is a slender lizard, typically brownish or greyish, often with faint darker spots or stripes along its back. Males can sometimes show a greenish tinge on their sides or head, and their bellies are whitish to yellowish. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Lacertidae - **Genus:** Podarcis ## Interesting facts - Lusitanian wall lizards have excellent eyesight to spot even the smallest insects from afar! - Males do push-ups to show off and defend their territory from other lizards! - These tiny lizards often choose to lay their eggs underground, keeping them safe and warm! - They are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature changes with the air around them! ## Special abilities - **Tail Escape Artist:** Podarcis lusitanicus can detach its tail if caught, which wiggles to distract predators while the lizard flees to safety. - **Sun-Powered Sprinter:** Podarcis lusitanicus uses sunlight to warm its body, which helps them gain energy for quick bursts of movement and hunting. - **Camouflage Cloak:** Podarcis lusitanicus has varied patterns that help it blend perfectly into rocks, walls, and leaf litter, hiding from watchful eyes. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.008 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 12 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-5 - **Incubation:** 30-60 days ## Diet & Feeding These speedy lizards primarily feast on small invertebrates they find scurrying about. - **Primary Foods:** Spiders, Ants, Flies, Beetles, Crickets - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** red wood ant (*Formica rufa*) — preys on small ant species found on the ground. - **Eats:** [garden spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) — catches spiders that venture within its reach. - **Eaten by:** Montpellier snake (*Malpolon monspessulanus*) — a common snake predator in its native range. - **Eaten by:** [carrion crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carrion-crow) (*Corvus corone*) — opportunistic birds that prey on small reptiles. ## 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. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [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. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a lizard, watch it from a distance and don't try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Podarcis lusitanicus? 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 Podarcis lusitanicus? 12-20 cm ### How much does Podarcis lusitanicus weigh? 0.002-0.008 kg ### How long does Podarcis lusitanicus live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Podarcis lusitanicus move? 12 km/h ### What does Podarcis lusitanicus eat? These speedy lizards primarily feast on small invertebrates they find scurrying about. ### Where is Podarcis lusitanicus usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Podarcis lusitanicus 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: [Podarcis lusitanicus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/podarcis-lusitanicus)