Lilford's wall lizard

Description

Podarcis lilfordi is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae.The species is endemic to the Balearic Islands,Spain.Its natural habitats are temperate Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation,rocky areas,and rocky shores.Originally distributed throughout the Balearics,the introduction of alien species which started with the Romans has confined the species to the uninhabited islets around the major islands,on almost each of which a local subspecies has evolved.It is threatened by habitat loss.Lilford's wall lizard grows to a maximum snout-to-vent length of 8 cm (3 in) but adults are usually a little smaller than this.The tail is about 1.8 times as long as the body.It is a robust streamlined lizard with a short-head and rounded body with smooth,unkeeled scales.The dorsal surface is usually greenish or brownish but varies much between different island subpopulations.There is usually a pale dorso-lateral stripe and there may be several dark streaks or three dark lines running along the spine.The flanks may be slightly reticulated and the underside is white,cream or pinkish.The throat may be blotched with darker colour.Juveniles sometimes have a blue tail.