Acanthodactylus erythrurus

Acanthodactylus erythrurus, commonly known as the spiny-footed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to northwestern Africa and the Iberian Peninsula.Arnold EN, Burton JA (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe. London: Collins. 272 pp. + Plates 1-40. . (Acanthodactylus erythrurus, p. 122 + Plate 17 + Map 63). It is considered to be the fastest member of the family Lacertidae. Its common name refers to the spines that are arranged like a comb on the toes of its hind legs. The spiny-footed lizard is 20 cm long, so it can be categorized as a medium sized animal. It has a tail that is two thirds of the lizard’s total size, and it has a very strong body. The snout is quite short and the supra occipital plates are defined enough to portray the illusion of the eyebrows being located on the lizard’s head. The entire body is covered with thin, seed-like scales. The scales have a keeled structure and the midline protrudes outwards. The lizard has long nails on its strong hind legs and long white lines on a greyish-yellow skin tone. There are also irregular dark and yellow spots all over the legs. The anterior belly is a shade of white and the long tail is a brilliant red on the lateral portions. During the mating period, the males’ yellow ocelli and the females’ red tails become more intensely colored. The spiny-footed lizard lives in very particular areas. It requires loose and clear coastal soils and low scrub coverage. Generally, this species is more commonly present in the mountainous areas at a higher altitude, but it avoids agricultural landscapes. It is also more active during the warmer months and it is mostly awake during the daytime. However, in the coastal regions, the lizard is active throughout the year and not constrained to the warmer months. During the coldest days of the year, the lizard is generally inactive. In areas outside the coast, the lizard hibernates during autumn and winter in small self-dug tunnels. These tunnels allow the lizard to regulate their body temperatures because they are relatively shallow and face towards the south. The diet includes a multitude of insects, snails, and plant matter like flower petals and stems. The insects it consumes include ants, bugs, and beetles. The spiny-footed lizard has a rutting period during the spring and it mates between May and June. Between June and August, the female lizard lays around 2 to 5 eggs. After the eggs are laid, they hatch 2 to 5 months after.

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