''Psammodromus hispanicus'', the Spanish psammodromus, 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 alt ...

in the family

Lacertidae The Lacertidae are the family (biology), 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 o ...

. It is found in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...

, and

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

. 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, temperate

grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur natur ...

, sandy shores,

arable land Arable land (from the la, arabilis, "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 ...

, pastureland, and rural gardens. It is threatened by

habitat loss Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss and habitat reduction) is the process by which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species. The organisms that previously inhabited the site are displaced or dead, thereby ...

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 ''Psammodromus algirus'', known commonly as the Algerian psammodromus, the Algerian sand racer, and the large psammodromus, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to western Europe and northwestern Africa. Geogr ...

, 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 (), ** * Aragonese and Occitan: ''Peninsula Iberica'' ** ** * french: Péninsule Ibérique * mwl, Península Eibérica * eu, Iberiar penintsula also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in southwestern Europe, defi ...

excluding the north coast and the

Pyrenees The Pyrenees (; es, Pirineos ; french: Pyrénées ; ca, Pirineu ; eu, Pirinioak ; oc, Pirenèus ; an, Pirineus) is a mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain. It extends nearly from its union with the Cantabrian Mountains to C ...

. 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