Maltese wall lizard (Podarcis filfolensis)

Short answers

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

80×40×50 cm for one animal; larger and heavily structured for a pair or trio.

Maltese wall lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 18–20 °C.

Maltese wall lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB is essential (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5 at the basking spot).

Maltese wall lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–12 years.

Maltese wall lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

UVB is essential (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5 at the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×50 cm for one animal; larger and heavily structured for a pair or trio

Substrate

A sand-loam mix with stones, dry-stone walls, rock and climbing structures, sparse dry vegetation

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, crickets, locusts, roaches), spiders, isopods; a little plant food and fruit

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles (almost) daily

Key facts

Adult size

up to approx. 25 cm total length (SVL up to 8.6 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 8–12 years

Origin

The Maltese archipelago (Malta, Gozo, Comino) and the Pelagie Islands (Linosa, Lampione), endemic

Protection status

Habitats Directive Annex IV / Bern Convention Appendix II – strictly protected. Mind the proof of origin or captive breeding plus registration under German law.

Brumation

Active all year, retreating only in cold or rain; no real winter rest is needed – a short, mild rest period (about 4–8 weeks at 10–15 °C) is enough and helpful for breeding

Cohabitation

A pair is the least complicated option; one male with one or more females also works in a large, structured enclosure with sight barriers - but never two males together.

Notes

A subtropical island species – warmer and without a genuine winter rest compared with the central European wall lizards. Warmth plus a strong basking spot matter.

Do you keep this species?

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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 Maltese wall lizard (Podarcis filfolensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×50 cm for one animal; larger and heavily structured for a pair or trio), substrate (A sand-loam mix with stones, dry-stone walls, rock and climbing structures, sparse dry vegetation), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.