About Podarcis waglerianus Gistel, 1868
Podarcis waglerianus Gistel, 1868, commonly called the Sicilian wall lizard, grows to approximately 7.5 cm (3 in) in length, with males being slightly larger than females. Its dorsal surface is usually green, though some females may be olive or brownish. It typically has a well-defined white or yellow dorsolateral stripe, and often has a brown stripe or series of spots running along its spine. Additional dark spots are arranged in rows on the back and flanks of males, while females often have a more uniform coloration. The underparts are white with a spotted throat, but breeding males may have an orange, pink, or red suffusion across these areas. Compared to island populations of the Italian wall lizard, the Sicilian wall lizard has a deeper head, a more slender body shape, speckled rather than reticulated markings, and brighter underpart coloration. This species is endemic to Sicily and the Aegadian Islands. It occurs in areas with lush vegetation, including woodland edges, bushy slopes, pasture, and cultivated land. It is also frequently found in gardens, particularly irrigated gardens. Unlike the Italian wall lizard, the Sicilian wall lizard does not climb often and occupies more densely vegetated areas. It is the more common wall lizard species in inland areas, while the Italian wall lizard is more common near the coast.
