Wall Lizard
Wall Lizard Facts
| Size | 7-16 inches (18-40 cm) |
| Speed | 7.4 mph (12 km/h) |
| Weight | 0.28-1.7 ounces (8-50 g) |
| Lifespan | 4-6 years |
| Food | Grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, caterpillars, moths, butterflies |
| Predators | Falcons, sparrowhawks, buzzards, martens, foxes, cats |
| Distribution | Europe, Africa, Asia, North America |
| Habitat | Rocky areas, scrubland, fields, forests, gardens |
| Class | Reptiles |
| Order | Squamates |
| Suborder | True lizards |
| Family | Phrynosomiatidae |
| Scientific name | Lacertidae |
| Characteristics | Small, fast reptile that can shed its tail |
Main Characteristics
Wall lizards or true lizards are small reptiles known for their slender bodies and long tails. They have long, claw-like toes on their feet, making them quite distinctive. A unique ability is that they can shed their tail. You can often spot them basking on rocks, stones, or ledges, as they are quite visible. They are very quick and will dart away in a flash if you approach them. Most true lizards prefer to move along the ground, but wall lizards are capable of climbing up walls.
Name
In English
Wall lizards are also called 'true lizards' and also known as 'Lazarus lizards'. But why is that? In 1951, Fred Lazarus III brought some of these creatures back to the USA from a trip to Europe, specifically to Cincinnati. He released them there, and they thrived due to the climate being similar to their native habitat. Since then, they have become established in that area.
In German
In German, a wall lizard is called „Eidechse“. The name derived from two ancient Germanic words: 'ei' meaning 'snake-like' and 'dechse' meaning 'spindle-shaped'.
Species
There are over 370 species of wall lizards or true lizards. In Germany and Switzerland, you can find five species: the sand lizard, the wall lizard, the common lizard, as well as the eastern and western green lizards. Additionally, Austria is home to the Horvath's rock lizard.
• Common Lizard
The common lizard is the smallest wall lizard in Europe, measuring up to 7 inches (18 cm) in length and weighing 0.1-0.17 ounces (3-5 grams). It is unique for living further north than any other lizard, reaching up to the 66th parallel, which is near the Arctic Circle, including parts of northern Norway. Unlike other lizards, the common lizard gives birth to live young instead of laying eggs. It has a brown to gray coloration, a small flat head, and a distinctive line along its back, and is also known as the mountain lizard or bog lizard.
• Wall Lizard
The wall lizard measures 6-7.8 inches (15-20 cm) and weighing 0.28-0.35 ounces (8-10 grams). It has a slender, flat body with a base color ranging from light to medium brown or gray, and its patterns vary by region, including spots, speckles, or net-like patterns.
• Sand Lizard
The sand lizard measures 8.6-9.4 inches (22-24 cm) in total length and weighs between 0.35-0.7 ounces (10-20 grams). It has a sturdier, bulkier body compared to the common and wall lizards. Its back features a ladder-like pattern with 'rungs' made of dark and light brown stripes, which can sometimes appear reddish. During mating season, males display vibrant green colors on their faces, sides, and legs.
• Eastern and Western Green Lizard
The green lizard is the largest wall lizard in Germany, growing up to 16 inches (40 cm) and weighing as much as 1.7 ounces (50 grams). It is easily recognizable due to its greenish hue, and during mating season, males exhibit a bright blue face. There are both eastern and western varieties of the green lizard, which differ in certain characteristics.
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution
Wall lizards can be found throughout Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia, including the Middle East and South Asia. The wall lizard has also made its way to North America, where it is known as the 'Lazarus lizard.' This name comes from Fred Lazarus III, who brought ten of these lizards back from Italy to the U.S. in 1951, specifically to Cincinnati. He released them, and they thrived due to the similar climate, becoming established in the area. From Cincinnati, they have spread into Kentucky and Indiana, and they have also been introduced to Vancouver Island and British Columbia in Canada.
Habitat
Wall lizards favor rocky areas, scrublands, forests, gardens, and fields. In warmer southern regions, they tend to prefer more humid environments, while in colder northern areas, they seek out dry habitats. Most species stay close to the ground, but the wall lizard can easily climb vertical surfaces.
Way of Life
Most wall lizards are solitary creatures. They are active during the day and spend a lot of time foraging for food. To warm up, they seek out a rock or stone in the sun. They are known for their strong territorial instincts, often staying in the same area for most of their lives. In winter, they enter a state of torpor, allowing them to survive the cold months when food is scarce.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Wall lizards typically measure 7-10 inches (18-25 cm) in length and weigh 0.3-1.7 ounces (3-50 grams). Some smaller species can be as short as 4.7 inches (12 cm), while larger ones can grow up to 35 inches (90 cm) long.
Tail
Wall lizards possess long tails that are one and a half to three times the length of their bodies. Their tails fall off when they're threatened. They shed them at the base, which distracts predators and often allows them to escape.
Legs and Feet
Compared to their bodies, wall lizards have relatively short legs, and their feet do not stick to surfaces like those of frogs or geckos. However, they do have claw-like toes that help them grip well.
Color
Most European wall lizard species are brown, but they may also display blue, green, yellow, or reddish patterns.
Diet
Wall lizards are carnivores, primarily feeding on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, caterpillars, moths, and butterflies.
Behavior
Hunting Strategy
Wall lizards are ambush hunters, hiding in the shadows and quickly leaping out to catch passing insects.
Defense
Wall lizards aren't great at defending themselves, relying instead on their speed to escape. If caught by a predator, they lose their tail, which continues to move and distracts the attacker, giving them a chance to flee.
Communication
Wall lizards communicate with each other through scents, using scent glands on their thighs to send out signals.
Are Wall Lizards Dangerous?
While the rustling of wall lizards in the bushes can be startling, especially if mistaken for a snake, they pose no danger to humans. They are shy creatures that do not bite or carry venom, although it's best to avoid handling them due to the rare risk of salmonella. Additionally, wall lizards are not a threat to pets like dogs and cats, but dog owners should keep an eye on their pets to prevent them from chasing these valuable members of the ecosystem.
Winter
During winter, wall lizards struggle to find food. When temperatures drop below 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius), they enter a state of torpor, also known as winter dormancy. To survive the cold season, they seek shelter in safe spots like rock piles, burrows, or under leaves.
Senses and Abilities
Tail Shedding
Wall lizards have the ability to shed their long tails. When caught by a predator, the tail breaks off at its base. This confuses the attacker and gives the lizard a chance to escape quickly. Once the tail falls off, it will regrow, but this trick only works once. The new tail is more like a cartilage rod, shorter and misshapen, and cannot be shed again.
Climbing Walls
The wall lizard, wall to its name, is adept at climbing walls.
Senses
The most important sense for wall lizards is their sense of smell. They also have excellent vision. But how well do they hear? They lack external ear structures. Instead, they perceive sounds through vibrations and tremors using their lungs and chest. These sounds are then transmitted to the eardrum located behind their temples.
Swimming
Many lizards, like the common and sand lizards, are also capable swimmers, though they prefer to stay on land unless fleeing from danger.
Running on Water
Interestingly, some reptiles, such as the basilisk, can run on water due to their lightweight bodies and strong hind legs. Although it is a reptile, it is not a wall lizard but a type of iguana.
Speed
Wall Lizards are surprisingly fast, capable of reaching speeds up to 7.4 mph (12 km/h), although they cannot maintain this pace over long distances.
Attracting Wall Lizards
Creating a lizard-friendly garden is easy! Wall lizards are drawn to sunny spots and are particularly attracted to walls or piles made of old stones. Just ensure that these structures get plenty of sunlight throughout the day. They thrive in gardens filled with wildflowers, perennials, small sand mounds, and have places to hide like brush piles and dead wood.
Life Expectancy
Lizards typically live for 4 to 6 years, but the wall lizard can live up to 10 years, making it a bit longer-lived.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Predators
They face many natural predators, including birds like kestrels, sparrows, buzzards, jays, and crows. On the ground, they are hunted by martens, hedgehogs, foxes, snakes, and domestic cats.
Human Impact
The biggest threat to lizards comes from human activities, as habitat destruction due to agriculture, road construction, and urban development continues to increase.
Importance for the Ecosystem
Wall lizards play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and diversity of ecosystems. They are beneficial creatures as they serve as natural predators of pests like aphids, snails, and worms.
Wall Lizards as Pets
Wall lizards are wild creatures. While it may be possible to catch one, their true home is in the wild where they can thrive. Often, they cannot be kept properly in terrariums and may not survive.
Reproduction
Breeding Season and Development
Wall lizards breed in the spring after waking from their winter torpor. They typically lay around 3 to 10 eggs between June and July, hiding them under rocks or in the soil. The hatchlings emerge after 6 to 11 weeks, usually in August. From the moment they hatch, the young lizards are independent and do not rely on nursing.
Ovoviviparous
Most lizards lay eggs, but the common lizard is different. It gives birth to live young, which are only covered by a soft egg membrane. This type of birth is called 'ovoviviparous,' a term derived from Latin where 'ovo' means 'egg' and 'vivipar' means 'alive.' Why is this the case? Common lizards are found further north than any other lizard species. In colder regions, it's challenging to keep an egg nest warm. However, if the young develop inside the mother, she can find a sunny spot to warm them up while they are still in her belly.
The Wall Lizard Is Related To:
- Anguids
- Racerunners
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Butterflies
- Cat
- Caterpillars
- Common Buzzard
- Cricket
- Grasshopper
- Hedgehog
- Eurasian Jay
- Kestrel
- Marten
- Moths
- Raven
- Red Fox
- Snake
- Sparrowhawk
- Spiders
Sources:
- „Most northernly lizard“ (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com)
