Scelarcis perspicillata (Duméril & Bibron, 1839)

Taxonomy and Body Shape

The Moroccan rock lizard, with the scientific name Scelarcis perspicillata (Duméril & Bibron, 1839), is a medium-sized, rather flattened lizard species.

Size

It reaches a snout-to-vent length of 6 cm (2.4 in), and its tail is approximately 1.7 times as long as its body.

Coloration Variation Overview

Multiple distinct colour forms exist for this species.

Moroccan Population Coloration

In Morocco, individuals are usually greyish-brown, and often have two broad, pale stripes running along the back.

Minorca Population Coloration

On Minorca, individuals are buff, grey, or greyish-green, and are densely covered with dark, net-like markings.

Tail Coloration

Across all regions where the species occurs, the tail is often bluish, especially in smaller individuals.

Distinguishing Feature

This species can be told apart from other similar lizards by the transparent "window" present in its lower eyelid.

Underpart Coloration

The underparts of the lizard are white or bluish, and occasional completely dark-coloured individuals occur.

African Distribution

The Moroccan rock lizard is distributed in northwestern Africa: it occurs mainly in the mountains of Morocco, and can also be found down to sea level in Algeria.

Minorca Introduction Record

It was first recorded on Minorca in 1928.