Milos wall lizard

Milos Wall Lizard
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Sauria
Family:	Lacertidae
Genus:	Podarcis
Species:	P. milensis
Binomial name
Podarcis milensis Bedriaga, 1882

The Milos wall lizard (Podarcis milensis) is a small Mediterranean lizard.

The lizard's body length is no more than 6.5 cm, and the tail is twice as long. The lizard looks sturdy, and has a broad head. The male's appearance is characteristic for the species. The back is usually brown, and has a slight longitudinal line in the middle of it. Flanks, throat and the sides of the head are black with white, yellow, blue or light green spots. The belly has often black patterning. A typical female has white stripes on the edges of its back, and some distinctive spots in the throat.

The Milos wall lizard inhabits a few Aegean islands in Greece. They are Milos, Kimolos, Falkonera, Antimilos and Parapola. The species prefers cultivated lands. These lizards bask in the sun in the banks and piles of stones. They hunt in the open ground or among plants.

Sources

• E. N. Arnold, J. A. Burton (1978). A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe
• Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe

References

• Lymberakis (2005). Podarcis milensis. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is near threatened