Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Maximum longevity: 5.4 years (captivity)
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- Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
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- de Magalhaes, J. P.
Biology
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The Hierro giant lizard is an omnivorous lacertid which feeds voraciously on two main plant species, Kleinia neriifolia and Lavandula abrotanoides as well as insects (2). Courtship begins in May and involves males bobbing their heads with their throats inflated. Clutches of between 5 and 13 eggs are laid from June until the end of August. The eggs hatch after 61 days of incubation at 28 – 29 ºC (5).
Conservation
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Plans for conservation of this species are not extensive. The United Nations and the Canary Islands Autonomous Government funded a program for the captive breeding and re-introduction of the Hierro giant lizard to its original natural habitat. This management plan began in late 1997 and ran until early 2000 (6) (8). Juveniles are more suitable for re-introduction as the sprint escape performance of the adult lizard is diminished by prolonged captivity (9).
Description
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The Hierro giant lizard is a stocky reptile with a broad head and pronounced jowls (flesh under the lower jaw). It is dark grey to brown in colour, with two rows of pale orange patches running along its sides. The belly is mostly brown with orange to red colouration towards the centre. Female sub-adults have grey backs with four rows of blackish patches and two rows of orange-green marks on the side. Older individuals are mainly black with some grey (2). Males are larger (5).
Habitat
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This is a terrestrial lizard, living on a small, young volcanic island in rocky habitats (1) (7).
Range
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The Hierro giant lizard is restricted to the Canary Islands, Spain (1).
Status
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The Hierro giant lizard is classified as Critically Endangered (CR B1 + 2e, C2b) on the IUCN Red List 2003 (1) and is listed on Appendix I of CITES (3). It is also listed on Annex IV of the European Species Directive (4).
Threats
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Feral rats and cats pose the most serious threat to this lizard. Poisons used for pest control seem to be inadvertently affecting the lizard population (6).
Gallotia simonyi
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Gallotia simonyi, also known as Simony's lizard, is a species of lacertid (wall lizard) that was found on many of the Canary Islands. The species was once present throughout much of the islands, but one of the two subspecies is extinct, while the other, the Roque Chico de Salmor giant lizard is now confined to a few small areas of cliff with sparse vegetation. It is currently restricted to the southern end of the Risco de Tibataje in la Fuga de Gorreta, located between Guinea and the so-called Paso del Pino (an area of about four hectares). The species was also successfully reintroduced to the Roque Chico de Salmor in 1999, and subsequent reintroductions have taken place at Julan and at la Dehesa.(Miras & Pérez-Mellado 2005b)
It is omnivorous. It eats plants – notably verode and Lavandula abrotanoides – as well as insects (ARKive 2006). Mating begins in May and 5 to 13 eggs are laid from June until the end of August. Their eggs hatch after 61 days.
Etymology
The specific name, simonyi, is in honor of Viennese naturalist Oskar Simony (1852–1915).[3]
Systematics
Two subspecies are recognised:
The population of this species is about 300 to 400 animals in the wild (including re-introduced populations), and it is classified as critically endangered by the 2006 IUCN Red List. This lizard's major threat is predation by feral cats, and possibly also by dogs and rats.
References
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Gallotia simonyi: Brief Summary
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A giant lizard walking
Gallotia simonyi, also known as Simony's lizard, is a species of lacertid (wall lizard) that was found on many of the Canary Islands. The species was once present throughout much of the islands, but one of the two subspecies is extinct, while the other, the Roque Chico de Salmor giant lizard is now confined to a few small areas of cliff with sparse vegetation. It is currently restricted to the southern end of the Risco de Tibataje in la Fuga de Gorreta, located between Guinea and the so-called Paso del Pino (an area of about four hectares). The species was also successfully reintroduced to the Roque Chico de Salmor in 1999, and subsequent reintroductions have taken place at Julan and at la Dehesa.(Miras & Pérez-Mellado 2005b)
It is omnivorous. It eats plants – notably verode and Lavandula abrotanoides – as well as insects (ARKive 2006). Mating begins in May and 5 to 13 eggs are laid from June until the end of August. Their eggs hatch after 61 days.
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A giant lizard walking 