Common Wall Lizard    Podarcis Muralis   Lézard des Murailles

(other sub species: P.brogniardii & P.merremia)

(syn. Française, Lézard gris)

By far the most common lizard in France, the Common Wall Lizard or Lézard des Murailles is extremely varied in colour depending on region and locality. They are rarely more than 20 cm and have an elongated appearance, largely as a result of their thin tail, which can be half, or more, of their total length. Males tend to be more colourful than females, which are often a drab brown. 

Present in all regions of France, they prefer open, sunny areas with little vegetation, old stone walls, quarries, roadsides and tracks, frequently to be seen near to old houses where they can be seen scurrying away when approached. Superb climbers, they also swim with ease and can sometimes be seen lying in warm, shallow pools, however they do need to be able to climb out again and are often found dead in plastic containers and buckets. As a rule they tend to be loyal to a locality staying within a radius of perhaps 25 metres and frequently forming what appear to be family groups.

Their diet is mainly comprised of insects that tend to be very small but butterflies, damsel flies, grasshoppers and larger insects equally attractive when they present themselves. Earth worms, sometimes the length of the lizard, will be consumed whole.

Hibernation is from November until March / April and is often interrupted during warmer spells. Breeding starts immediately after hibernation with frequent combats between males, females lay between 2 and 10 eggs, up to three times in a season, in soft soil or under rocks, these hatch after about 2 months. The eggs are oval, about 10 mm and soft when first laid, swelling up to 15 mm.