Madeira Lizard
Teira dugesii
This lizard is a rare example of a reptile pollinator; as it climbs into flowers to drink nectar, pollen sticks to its snout and transfers to other blooms.
- Scientific name
- Teira dugesii
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Reptilia › Squamata › Lacertidae › Teira
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- urban
- Habitat
- Rocky cliffs, stone walls, gardens, vineyards, and open shrublands.
- Diet
- Omnivorous, feeding on insects, spiders, ripe fallen fruit, and flower nectar.
- Range
- Madeira Archipelago, Azores, Port of Lisbon
- Size
- 15-20 cm in total length (including tail)
- Lifespan
- 8-10 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Predation by invasive feral cats and rats, and localized habitat loss from heavy urban development.
- Safe to approach?
- This species is completely harmless and highly curious, often approaching humans for fruit scraps. Keep a respectful distance and avoid attempting to handle them, as stress can cause them to drop their tails (autotomy). If accidentally nipped, wash the tiny scrape with soap and water.
The Madeiran wall lizard ( Lacerta dugesii ) is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family. The species is endemic to Madeira Islands, Portugal. In the Azores, this lizard has become naturalized after involuntary introduction by the shipping trade between the two archipelagos.
Photo: no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist
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