# Moroccan rock lizard

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{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Scelarcis perspicillata 82221991.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Philippe Geniez, Tahar Slimani, El Hassan El Mouden, Iñigo Martínez-Solano |date=2009 |title=''Scelarcis perspicillata'' |volume=2009 |article-number=e.T61581A12498039 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T61581A12498039.en |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref>
| parent_authority = [Fitzinger](/source/Leopold_Fitzinger), 1843
| taxon = Scelarcis perspicillata
| authority = ([Duméril](/source/Andr%C3%A9_Marie_Constant_Dum%C3%A9ril) & [Bibron](/source/Gabriel_Bibron), 1839)
| range_map = Scelarcis perspicillata range Map.png
| synonyms = * ''Lacerta perspicillata'' <small>Duméril and Bibron, 1839</small>
* ''Podarcis perspicillata'' <small>(Duméril & Bibron, 1839)</small>
* ''Teira perspicillata'' <small>(Duméril & Bibron, 1839)</small>
}}

The '''Moroccan rock lizard''' ('''''Scelarcis perspicillata''''') is a species of [lizard](/source/lizard) in the family [Lacertidae](/source/Lacertidae). Its classification is uncertain and it has been placed in the genera ''[Teira](/source/Teira)'', ''[Podarcis](/source/Podarcis)'', ''Lacerta'' or ''Scelarcis''. It is found in Algeria and Morocco and has been introduced to the island of [Menorca](/source/Menorca) in Spain. Its natural [habitat](/source/habitat)s are [Mediterranean-type](/source/Mediterranean_forests%2C_woodlands%2C_and_scrub) [shrubby vegetation](/source/shrubland), rocky areas, sea coasts and [urban area](/source/urban_area)s.

==Description==
The Moroccan rock lizard is a medium-sized, rather flattened species growing to a snout-to-vent length of {{convert|6|cm|1|abbr=on}} with a tail about 1.7 times its body-length. Various colour forms exist. In Morocco it is usually greyish-brown often with two broad, pale stripes along the back. In Minorca the colour is buff, grey or greyish-green densely covered with dark, net-like markings. In all areas, the tail is often bluish, particularly in smaller individuals. It can be distinguished from other similar lizards by the presence of a transparent "window" in its lower eyelid. The underparts are white or bluish. Occasional completely dark-coloured individuals occur.<ref name=Collins>{{cite book |title=Field Guide: Reptiles & Amphibians of Britain & Europe |last=Arnold |first=E. Nicholas |last2=Ovenden |first2= Denys W. |year=2002 |publisher=Collins & Co. |isbn=978-0-00-219964-3 |pages=156–157 }}</ref>

==Distribution==
The Moroccan rock lizard occurs in northwestern Africa, mainly in the mountain of Morocco but also down to sea level in Algeria. It was first recorded in Minorca in 1928.<ref name=Collins/>

==Behaviour==
The Moroccan rock lizard is an agile species and is found climbing on rocks, walls, cliffs and boulders, on tree trunks, on the ground among scrub and around buildings. It forages on the ground as well as on rocks. Its tail is rather fragile and individuals with regenerating tails can often be found. Females lay small clutches of one to three measuring {{convert|12|to|17|mm}} by {{convert|6|to|8|mm}}.<ref name=Collins/>

==References==<!-- Biological Journal of the Linnean Society90:479 -->
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q15067061|from2=Q28310813}}

Category:Lacertidae
Category:Reptiles described in 1839
Category:Taxa named by André Marie Constant Duméril
Category:Taxa named by Gabriel Bibron
Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Moroccan rock lizard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moroccan_rock_lizard) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moroccan_rock_lizard?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.