IDENTIFICATION  

This is a small sized lizard (total head-body length up to 15 cm). It is slender, the head is not really distinct from the body, although it is robust, flattened and its skull is a bit raised. The body has large and keeled dorsal scales (with a protruding longitudinal mid-line, like the keel of a ship). The back is greyish, brownish or greenish. It is usually four thin white, yellow or green longitudinal lines, interrupted by small dark quadrangular spots. The belly is whitish or yellowish. Young specimens look like adults, although they are generally darker.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE (HABITAT)? 

This species prefers open areas, with low vegetation. It uses both shrubs and meadows or farming areas if the ground is compact enough. It avoids soft, loose and sandy soils. It is a typical inhabitant of esparto grass and thyme areas and of medium degraded pine forests and Mediterranean wood.

HOW DOES IT LIVE?

It is usually active all year long, provided the temperature is mild. In winter, it is active on sunny days and when it is not windy. It has daytime habits. It does not use stones and trunks for sunning, it prefers to do it on land clearing. It moves on the ground in open land, although it usually does not move away from bushes that provide it shelter. It feeds on small insects and spiders of which it actively captures thanks to its speed and movement and agility.

HOW DOES IT REPRODUCE?

The breeding season lasts from March to July. Mating occurs between March and May. There are usually  two egg-laying periods of 2 to 6 eggs each, one in spring and one in autumn. The eggs take a couple of months to hatch. Sexual maturity is reached during the spring following hatching.

WHERE CAN WE SEE IT IN MALAGA AND ON THE STAGES OF THE GREAT PATH?

It is a fairly common species in the province. It is present in almost all stages of the Great Path (Gran Senda).

LEVEL OF PROTECTION - THREAT (INVENTORY)

This lizard is part of the Andalusian Wildlife Species under Special Protection List. In general, it is not considered as an endangered species, although drastic changes in the habitat can reduce its population.

CURIOUS FACTS  

The Spanish psammodromus has a short but intense life. They do not usually live more than three years, but during that time they play an important role in Mediterranean ecosystems. Due to its wide distribution and its size, it is part of many predators diet, although it is not an easy prey to capture. They are nervous reptiles, moving at great speed and having a wonderful camouflage system: their skin and colouration blend perfectly with the substrate and scrub.

SIMILAR SPECIES (IT CAN BE MISTAKEN WITH...) 

It can be mistaken for the Andalusian lizard because of its size. The Spanish Psammodromos lizard has keeled scales which gives it a scaly appearance compared to the much smoother skin of the Andalusian lizard. It is smaller than the long-tailed and red-tailed lizards and of many different coloured lizards. In addition, in case of a possible confusion with the red tailed lizard, the grey Spanish Psammodromous lizard lacks long nails on the hind legs and plates above the eyes giving the red-tailed lizard the appearance of having very marked eyebrows. Another difference between them is their very different habitats.