Madeiran wall lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Madeira wall lizard |
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| Teira dugesii in the São Jorge Island, Azores | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Lacertidae
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| Genus: |
Teira
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| Species: |
T. dugesii
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| Binomial name | |
| Teira dugesii (Milne-Edwards, 1829)
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The Madeira wall lizard (Teira dugesii), also called the Madeira lizard, is a type of lizard. It belongs to the Lacertidae family. This lizard is the only species in its genus called Teira.
Contents
Where Madeira Wall Lizards Live
This lizard is found only in the Madeira Islands, Portugal. It is very common there.
However, you can also find these lizards in the Azores. They arrived there by accident in the 1800s. Ships traveling between the islands carried them. Even so, there are not as many lizards in the Azores as in Madeira.
A small group of these lizards also lives near the port in Lisbon. They probably arrived there by accident on ships carrying bananas. This group was first found in 1992. Studies show their numbers have stayed about the same since then.
About the Madeira Wall Lizard's Name
The Madeira wall lizard was named after a French zoologist. His name was Louis Antoine Dugès. He lived from 1797 to 1838.
There are three main types, or subspecies, of the Madeira wall lizard:
- Teira dugesii dugesii: This type lives on Madeira Island and the Desertas Islands. The lizards found in the Azores and Lisbon are also this type.
- Teira dugesii jogeri: This type lives on Porto Santo Island.
- Teira dugesii selvagensis: This type lives on the Selvagens Islands.
Madeira Wall Lizard Characteristics
These lizards can grow up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long. Most adult lizards are usually between 10 and 15 cm (3.9 and 5.9 in) long.
Their color can be light brown to dark gray. Some lizards, especially males, might have other colors. These can include green, blue, or even violet.
You can tell male lizards apart from females. Males have a yellow fold of skin near their back legs.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Female lizards lay two to three groups of eggs each year. Some of these lizards can live for 16 years or even longer.
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What Madeira Wall Lizards Eat
Madeira wall lizards mainly eat insects. But they also enjoy eating ripe fruits and berries. Blackberries are a favorite part of their diet.
Madeira Wall Lizard Habitat
These lizards usually live in dry areas. These places do not have a lot of thick vegetation. You can also find them in open woodlands. They like areas with rocks and where crops are grown.
Images for kids
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Madeiran wall lizards fighting for food in the Desertas Islands
See also
In Spanish: Lagartija de Madeira para niños
