Spanish Psammodromus

The Spanish Psammodromus (Psammodromus hispanicus) is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family. It is found in France, Portugal, and Spain. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, sandy shores, arable land, pastureland, and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss.

History and origin The Spanish Psammodromus was first described by Fitzinger in 1826, the scientific name of this species is Psammodromus hispanicus. Psammodromus from Greek meaning 'sand' and 'to run'. hispanicus from Latin meaning 'from Spain'.

Characteristics They are one of the smallest lizards of France, characterised by their unique patterns (see photos).

Description

Size The eggs measure 9 x 6 to 13 x 8 mm. The young hatch out at around 20 to 25 mm long. They can grow up to around 50 mm long, their tail being about 1.5 the body size giving them a total adult size of around 120 to 130 mm long.

Form They are slender and long-bodied. They have a small pointed head, normal to large sized hind limbs and a very long, slender tail, they have keeled, overlapping scales and like its cousin the Large Psammodromus, they have a rough appearance.

Patterns & colours They are often dark brown, olive-brown or dark red, rusty colour with many lighter irregular blotches, streaks and small lines especially in the middle of the sides and on the top of flanks. But also along the top of the back where they usually have lots of small streaks of white bordered by a darker colour. Their belly is yellowish.

Geographical range They are found over most of the Iberian peninsula excluding the north coast and the Pyrenees. In France they can only be found along the Mediterranean coast.

Subspecies edwarsianus - Found in France hispanicus - Iberian peninsula

Sexual differences Females are larger in spring due to their eggs.

Seasonal variations Females are larger in spring due to their eggs.