Lilford's wall lizard (Podarcis lilfordi)

Short answers

Lilford's wall lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×50 cm (a pair or small group).

Lilford's wall lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C (cooler zones around 22 °C), basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 18–20 °C.

Lilford's wall lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential; a sun-loving Mediterranean species, Ferguson zone 3–4 with a UV index of 3–4 at the basking spot.

Lilford's wall lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–12 years.

Lilford's wall lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C (cooler zones around 22 °C)

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

Essential; a sun-loving Mediterranean species, Ferguson zone 3–4 with a UV index of 3–4 at the basking spot

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm (a pair or small group)

Substrate

A sand and soil mix with plenty of stones and rock crevices, Mediterranean planting

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous – insects plus plant food (flowers, fruit, nectar, soft vegetation); island populations are strongly plant-eating

Feeding interval

adults insects 2–3×/week (plus plant food always available), juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

SVL ~7–8 cm, total length ~18–20 cm (varies with the island)

Life expectancy

approx. 8–12 years

Origin

Endemic to the Gymnesian Islands (the Cabrera archipelago and small rocky islets around Mallorca and Menorca); extinct on the main islands, IUCN: endangered

Protection status

Habitats Directive Annexes II and IV plus Bern Convention Appendix II → strictly protected; wild collection is prohibited, only documented captive-bred animals with proof of origin plus registration; hardly ever legally in the trade

Brumation

A mild winter rest of ~6–8 weeks at ~8–12 °C (a Mediterranean island climate)

Cohabitation

One male plus several females is possible; NEVER keep males together (territorial). In the wild densities are locally high, but in a terrarium they still form territories

Notes

A strictly protected island endemic, legally available almost only as a documented captive-bred animal. Markedly omnivorous (nectar, fruit, flowers) – offer plant food. Some husbandry figures are derived from the genus and climate.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• Aeolian wall lizard (Podarcis raffonei) – Expert
• Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii) – Beginner to intermediate
• 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
• Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus campestris) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Lilford's wall lizard (Podarcis lilfordi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm (a pair or small group)), substrate (A sand and soil mix with plenty of stones and rock crevices, Mediterranean planting), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.