Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus campestris)

Short answers

Italian wall lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

One animal from approx. 60×40×50 cm; a pair or harem from 100×50×50 cm.

Italian wall lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C (basking spot), at night 20–24 °C.

Italian wall lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5).

Italian wall lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

Italian wall lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

50–70 % (mist lightly in the morning)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5)

Enclosure

Minimum size

one animal from approx. 60×40×50 cm; a pair or harem from 100×50×50 cm

Substrate

A soil and sand mix they can dig in (for egg-laying), flat stones, cork bark, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, small locusts, flies, roaches), occasionally fruit or flowers; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

total length up to ~25 cm (SVL up to ~9 cm)

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

Italy and the Adriatic region; the subspecies campestris covers the eastern populations (north-eastern Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, the Balkans)

Protection status

Habitats Directive Annex IV → strictly protected within its natural range; in Germany proof of origin and registration (a stock declaration) are recommended or required. No CITES.

Brumation

A winter rest of 2–3 months at 5–10 °C

Cohabitation

A pair (1.1) is the least complicated option; a harem (one male with several females) also works given enough space and sight barriers - but never two males together.

Notes

A robust, active Mediterranean wall lizard; it needs space, UVB and a winter rest. Common mistakes: too small, no diggable substrate, and no winter rest. The figures are confirmed several times over.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus campestris) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Aeolian wall lizard (Podarcis raffonei) – Expert
• Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii) – Beginner to intermediate
• Lilford's wall lizard (Podarcis lilfordi) – Expert
• Bocage's wall lizard (Podarcis bocagei) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Carbonell's wall lizard (Podarcis carbonelli) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Geniez's wall lizard (Podarcis virescens) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Guadarrama wall lizard (Podarcis guadarramae) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Ionian wall lizard (Podarcis ionicus) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus campestris) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (one animal from approx. 60×40×50 cm; a pair or harem from 100×50×50 cm), substrate (A soil and sand mix they can dig in (for egg-laying), flat stones, cork bark, climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.