''Psammodromus hispanicus'', the Spanish psammodromus, is a species of
lizard
Lizard is the common name used for all Squamata, squamate reptiles other than snakes (and to a lesser extent amphisbaenians), encompassing over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most Island#Oceanic isla ...
in the family
Lacertidae.
It is found in
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
,
Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...
, and
Spain
Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
.
Its natural
habitat
In ecology, habitat refers to the array of resources, 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 manifestation of its ...
s are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate
grassland
A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominance (ecology), dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes such as clover, and other Herbaceo ...
, sandy shores,
arable land
Arable land (from the , "able to be ploughed") is any land capable of being ploughed and used to grow crops.''Oxford English Dictionary'', "arable, ''adj''. and ''n.''" Oxford University Press (Oxford), 2013. Alternatively, for the purposes of a ...
, pastureland, and rural gardens.
It is threatened by
habitat loss
Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss or habitat reduction) occurs when a natural habitat is no longer able to support its native species. The organisms once living there have either moved elsewhere, or are dead, leading to a decrease ...
.
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 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 and 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 many small streaks of white bordered by a darker colour. Their belly is yellowish.
Geographical range
They are found over most of the
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula ( ), also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in south-western Europe. Mostly separated from the rest of the European landmass by the Pyrenees, it includes the territories of peninsular Spain and Continental Portugal, comprisin ...
excluding the north coast and the
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees are a mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain. They extend nearly from their union with the Cantabrian Mountains to Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean coast, reaching a maximum elevation of at the peak of Aneto. ...
. 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.
Biology
Diet
They feed mainly on small insects & spiders.
Defensive habits
When disturbed they will flee into close by vegetation. If they are caught however, they may squeak, but never bite.
Reproduction
Breeding occurs when they wake up from hibernation in spring. After only a few weeks about 2 to 8 eggs are laid in a moist, warm spot, usually under hay piles, in rotting wood piles and other places of this kind. The eggs incubate for around 8 weeks before hatching. The females can lay up to 2 clutches of eggs.
Sexual maturity, life span
The average life span for Psammodromus hispanicus is only 2 to 3 years, many specimens die after their first mating season. They reach their sexual maturity in their first year.
Habits
They are active by day. They are often seen running from one clump of vegetation to another if you come across them.
Ecology
Habitat
They are found at up to 1500 meters in altitude. They inhabit dry open Mediterranean areas. These habitats are characterised by a stone cover and in most cases, a loose soiled area not too far away (sand...).
Predators
They are the prey for many species, birds, large insects, snakes, other mammals.
References
* Reptiles & Amphibians of Franc
Reptiles & Amphibians of France website
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2301017
hispanicus
Reptiles described in 1826
Taxa named by Leopold Fitzinger
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
Lizards of Europe