The Catalonian wall lizard (Podarcis liolepis), often called the Columbretes wall lizard or sargantana bruna, is a slender, 15–20 cm long reptile native to Northeast Spain and Southern France. Known for being highly adaptable, these brownish, long-tailed lizards thrive on rocks, walls, and in human settlements from sea level to 2000m in the Pyrenees.
Key Facts About the Catalonian Wall Lizard:
Appearance: They are slender with long tails (roughly two-thirds of total length) and narrow, tapered heads. Their color is usually grey-brown, often with faint, reticulated, or striped patterns, especially in females.
Habitat: They prefer sunny areas and are found in rocky areas, dry-stone walls, and buildings. They are highly adapted to climbing.
Distribution: Primarily found in Catalonia (Spain), extending to the Columbretes Islands and parts of Southern France.
Diet: They are insectivores, feeding on insects such as crickets and grasshoppers.
Behavior: They are diurnal (active during the day).
Subspecies: Significant variability exists, with identified forms like P. liolepis cebennensis (Southern France) and P. liolepis atratus (Columbretes Archipelago).
Status: Classified as "Least Concern" (LC) by the IUCN, though they face threats from habitat alteration.
Distinction: Formerly considered a subspecies of the Iberian wall lizard (Podarcis hispanicus), it is now recognized as a distinct species.
