Filfola lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maltese wall lizard |
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| In Marsaxlokk, Malta | |
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Podarcis
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| Species: |
filfolensis
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The Maltese wall lizard (also called the filfola lizard) is a type of lizard. Its scientific name is Podarcis filfolensis. You can find it in Malta and some Italian islands. It likes to live in rocky places, near the coast, in bushy areas, and even in gardens and farms.
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Different Types of Maltese Wall Lizards
In the Maltese Islands, there are four special types, or subspecies, of the Maltese wall lizard. This means they are found nowhere else in the world!
Malta's Main Lizard: P. f. maltensis
This subspecies lives on the three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. It is usually green and sometimes has speckles.
The Filfla Lizard: P. f. filfolensis
This subspecies is only found on the small island of Filfla. Filfla is just off the coast of Malta. This is the biggest of the four subspecies. It is blackish with cool bluish spots.
The St. Paul's Islands Lizard: P. f. kieselbachi
This subspecies used to live only on Selmunett, also known as St.Paul's Islands. Its colors could be brown or grey. It had an orange belly with small black spots. Sadly, this group of lizards died out in 2005.
The Fungus Rock Lizard: P. f. generalensis
This subspecies is only found on Fungus Rock. This rock is on the west coast of Gozo. It has a reddish belly and blue-like sides.
Other Subspecies of the Maltese Wall Lizard
Scientists think there might be a fifth subspecies on the island of Cominotto/Kemunett. Another subspecies, Podarcis filfolensis ssp. laurentimulleri, lives on the Italian islands of Linosa and Lampione.
What Do Maltese Wall Lizards Look Like and Do?
Male Maltese wall lizards have bright colors. But young lizards and females have more plain colors, usually brownish.
These lizards mainly eat small insects. They like ants or termites.
Male lizards are very protective of their space. If another male lizard comes into their area, they puff up and raise their head. They do a similar dance to attract females. Mating happens in the spring. The female lays one or two eggs soon after. The baby lizards hatch between June and mid-August.
See also
- Endemic Maltese wildlife
- Endemism
- Filfla
- List of reptiles of Italy
- Madeiran wall lizard
