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Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus). Great Malaga Path

Diputación de Málaga
Lagartija colilarga (Psammodromus algirus)

Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus). Great Malaga Path

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Phenology
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Animal Life > Reptiles

IDENTIFICATION  

A medium or large sized lizard; it is elongated (up to 32 cm of total length head-tail) and has a robust appearance. The tail stands out, as it is extremely long, being able to reach almost double the body length (9 cm versus 23 cm). The head is not really distinguished from the body. The skin of the body (on the back and on the neck) is covered with keeled scales (that is a differential character: the scales have a protruding longitudinal mid-line, like the keel of a ship). The colour is greenish brown, with two striking lateral lines on the back of yellow or white and bluish ocellis on the sides. The ventral area is clear or creamy, while the tail and legs are usually orange. Rutting males exhibit orange colour on the head's sides and the throat whereas the females are yellow. Young specimens have a pattern similar to adults, although the orange colour of the hind legs and tail is usually more intense.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE (HABITAT)? 

It is a wooded species with preference for forest and scrub areas. It appears both in pine forests and in deciduous or meadows areas. It prefers holm-oak woods. It is also present in dunes and coastal sand areas, provided that there is enough scrub. In agricultural lands, it stays in boundaries or islands with natural vegetation.

HOW DOES IT LIVE?

It is an animal with daytime habits, although it also has some nocturnal activity in the summer.  They are usually active from February to October, although during the cold months it is frequent on sunny days, especially young individuals. It mainly moves through the litter, on the ground, although it can climb very well and rise the bushes.  It feeds on a variety of small invertebrates hunting them both actively and waiting. It uses its ear to detect insects among leaf litter, as well as the vomeronasal organ (or Jacobson organ) to detect chemical signals.

HOW DOES IT REPRODUCE?

The mating period lasts from spring to early summer. During this period the intensity of the male’s colour increases, in addition to displaying an orange tone on the sides of the head and on the throat. These changes respond to an increase in testosterone levels that allow and facilitate pairing. After mating, the females perform two (rarely three) layings of 2 to 11 eggs that they bury in the ground. Large baby  psammodromus lizards hatch between August and October, reaching sexual maturity after the first year of its life.

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

It is a very common species in the entire Málaga 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. Its main threats lie in the alteration of its habitat, forest turning to agricultural uses, as well as farming intensification.

CURIOUS FACTS  

The forked tongue possessed by lizards and snakes does not serve to sting or bite. Its function is linked to the detection of chemical signals, similar to olfactory. This animal often pulls out its tongue and explores its environment with it by collecting particles; then it introduces these particles into its mouth and leads it to the vomeronasal or Jacobson organ. This organ analyses chemical signals and the animal's brain translates them into stimuli. The vomeronasal organ is located on the palate, near the nose. Mammals also have this organ, although its function is already atrophied and its language modified to other functions. In the case of the apes, it is vestigial. But it still helps to recognize certain pheromones: in many mammals, rutting is recognized by the smell, by pheromones that "can be smelled". This organ reminds us of what we used to be, that we are not so different from reptiles and that it is going to be true that "love is in the air".

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

It can be confused especially with the Spanish leprous lizards and the red-tail lizard. It is larger than both of them and has keeled scales (just as the Spanish leprous lizard). The different colour and the use of a different habitat help distinguishing them. The red-backed lizard is distinguished above all by its "eyebrows" (marked supra-occipital plates) and the very long nails of the hind legs.

Routes where it can be observed

More information