Madeira Wall Lizard: where and when to see them

The Madeira wall lizard is a small, active reptile native to the Madeira archipelago and the Selvagens. It is familiar on sunny stonework, rocky slopes and garden edges, making it one of the region's more approachable native vertebrates. Colour varies considerably among individuals and island populations, from muted brown to greener or more strongly patterned animals. Introduced populations also exist outside its native islands, so locality matters when interpreting an observation.

Size

15–23 cm total length

Weight

Not reliably established

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

These lizards regulate body temperature by moving between sunshine and shelter. They often bask on walls before making quick foraging excursions, retreating into cracks when disturbed. Males interact territorially during the reproductive period, using posture and pursuit. Individuals can become accustomed to people at busy viewpoints, but this should not encourage feeding. Activity changes with temperature, cloud and exposure, with shelter especially important during cool, windy or very hot conditions. Courtship displays involve head bobs and tail wags, with males often chasing females to initiate mating. These lizards exhibit remarkable site fidelity, often returning to the same basking spots or shelters daily, which can aid in repeated observations during a stay.

• It is the only living species usually placed in the genus Teira.
• Its diet can include nectar as well as insects.
• A detached tail can regrow, though the replacement differs from the original.
• Native island populations show conspicuous variation in colour and pattern.

Warm, bright conditions from spring into autumn usually favour visible activity on Madeira. Lizards may emerge during mild winter weather too. Morning or later-afternoon sunshine can be productive, while cold wind, heavy rain or intense midday heat may reduce exposed basking. Peak activity for foraging and social interactions typically occurs when ambient temperatures are within their preferred range, often between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius. On excursions, early mornings offer opportunities to see them emerging to warm up, while late afternoons can be active as they forage before nightfall.

Rocky ground, dry-stone walls, gardens, cultivated terraces and open scrub all provide suitable habitat. The species ranges from coastal settings into uplands where conditions permit. Crevices, vegetation cover and sun-exposed surfaces create the thermal variety needed for daily activity. They are particularly abundant in coastal areas and on offshore islets, demonstrating a remarkable adaptability to different substrate types including bare rock and sandy dunes. The species has also successfully colonized urban environments, utilizing man-made structures like old buildings and pavements for shelter and thermoregulation.

The diet includes insects, spiders and other small invertebrates, together with substantial plant foods in some settings. Lizards consume fruits, flowers and nectar when available. This flexibility helps them exploit both natural vegetation and human-modified landscapes without needing tourist food. Their opportunistic diet contributes to their success in diverse environments, allowing them to exploit seasonal changes in food availability. This broad diet also includes a significant proportion of ants, which are a readily available and consistent food source across their range.

Common name

Madeira Wall Lizard

Scientific name

Teira dugesii

Animal group

Reptiles

Size

15–23 cm total length

Weight

Not reliably established

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Within its native islands, Madeira wall lizard is the familiar slender, long-tailed wall lizard, but variable colour alone does not reliably distinguish it from introduced mainland wall-lizard species elsewhere. Key identification features include a relatively flattened head and small, granular scales on the body, with larger keeled scales on the tail. Males often exhibit brighter green or blue coloration on their flanks, particularly during the breeding season, while females and juveniles are generally more cryptically patterned brown or grey.