The Moroccan rock lizard (''Scelarcis perspicillata'') is a species of

lizard Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic since it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia al ...

in the family

Lacertidae The Lacertidae are the family of the wall lizards, true lizards, or sometimes simply lacertas, which are native to Afro-Eurasia. It is a diverse family with at least 300 species in 39 genera. They represent the dominant group of reptiles found i ...

. Its classification is uncertain and it has been placed in the genera ''

Teira The Madeiran wall lizard (''Teira dugesii'') is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. It is the only species in the genus ''Teira''. The species is endemic to the Madeira Archipelago, Portugal. In the Azores, this lizard has become natura ...

'', ''

Podarcis ''Podarcis'' is a genus of lizards in the family Lacertidae. Its members look very similar to lizards of the genus '' Lacerta'', to which they were considered to belong until the 1970s. While similar externally and ecologically, ''Podarcis'' f ...

'', ''Lacerta'' or ''Scelarcis''. It is found in Algeria and Morocco and has been introduced to the island of

Menorca Menorca or Minorca (from la, Insula Minor, , smaller island, later ''Minorica'') is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. Its name derives from its size, contrasting it with nearby Majorca. Its capi ...

in Spain. Its natural

habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

s are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, sea coasts and

urban area An urban area, built-up area or urban agglomeration is a human settlement with a high population density and infrastructure of built environment. Urban areas are created through urbanization and are categorized by urban morphology as cities, ...

Description

The Moroccan rock lizard is a medium-sized, rather flattened species growing to a snout-to-vent length of with a tail about 1.7 times its body-length. Various colour forms exist. In Morocco it is usually greyish-brown often with two broad, pale stripes along the back. In Minorca the colour is buff, grey or greyish-green densely covered with dark, net-like markings. In all areas, the tail is often bluish, particularly in smaller individuals. It can be distinguished from other similar lizards by the presence of a transparent "window" in its lower eyelid. The underparts are white or bluish. Occasional completely dark-coloured individuals occur.

Distribution

The Moroccan rock lizard occurs in northwestern Africa, mainly in the mountain of Morocco but also down to sea level in Algeria. It was first recorded in Minorca in 1928.

Behaviour

The Moroccan rock lizard is an agile species and is found climbing on rocks, walls, cliffs and boulders, on tree trunks, on the ground among scrub and around buildings. It forages on the ground as well as on rocks. Its tail is rather fragile and individuals with regenerating tails can often be found. Females lay small clutches of one to three measuring by .

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q15067061, from2=Q28310813 Lacertidae Reptiles described in 1839 Taxa named by André Marie Constant Duméril Taxa named by Gabriel Bibron Taxonomy articles created by Polbot