The Italian Wall Lizard, Podarcis sicula, is a small, agile reptile native to Southern Europe that has become a familiar sight in urban and suburban areas across the globe. This species is often seen basking on sun-warmed surfaces or darting across patios and gardens. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in landscapes altered by human activity, leading to its widespread presence far beyond its original home. Consequently, many people who encounter this quick-moving lizard often wonder about its potential impact on people and pets.
Are Italian Wall Lizards Dangerous?
The Italian Wall Lizard is not dangerous to humans or domestic animals. The species is neither venomous, meaning it does not produce or inject toxins via a bite, nor is it poisonous, meaning it is not toxic if ingested. This reptile belongs to the family Lacertidae, which includes many common, non-toxic European lizards.
If a person attempts to handle the lizard, it may attempt to bite as a defensive reaction. Due to their small size, the bite is typically harmless and generally incapable of breaking human skin. The species is insectivorous, primarily feeding on arthropods, which helps to control local insect populations.
Key Features for Identification
The Italian Wall Lizard is a slender lizard, with a total length, including the tail, typically ranging from 15 to 20 centimeters in adult specimens. The tail is long, often accounting for more than half of the lizard’s overall length, and the snout is distinctly pointed. Its body is covered in small, sharp, keeled scales that give it a slightly rough texture.
Coloration is highly variable across its range, but the back is commonly green, yellowish, olive, or light brown, sometimes featuring speckles or stripes. Males are generally larger than females and often display more vivid colors during the breeding season, sometimes including hues of blue or green on the throat or belly. A distinguishing feature in some subspecies is a prominent blue or black spot located behind the front shoulder.
Spread and Habitat
The Italian Wall Lizard is native to the Italian Peninsula, including Sicily, and the northern Adriatic coast. Its ability to thrive in diverse settings has led to its introduction and establishment in many other parts of the world.
The species is now established in areas across Europe, including parts of France, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. In North America, introduced populations are well-established in multiple locations, including parts of New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and California. These lizards are habitat generalists, meaning they can live in a wide range of environments.
They favor human-modified landscapes, earning them the nickname “ruin lizard” for their common presence on old walls and buildings. Preferred habitats include gardens, stone walls, urban rubble, scrublands, and rocky areas that offer plenty of sun exposure for basking.