Endemic subspecies
Il-Gremxula ta' Filfla
A subspecies of lizard found only on Filfla, a small uninhabited island south of Malta.
The Filfla wall lizard is a subspecies of the Maltese wall lizard, found only on the island of Filfla.
It has a dark, usually black or grey body, with blue or turquoise spots along its body. This colouring helps it blend into the island’s rocky terrain.
Filfla is a small, uninhabited and protected island located about 4.5 kilometres south of Malta. The Filfla wall lizard is the only reptile that lives permanently on the island.
Threats
Filfla is a protected island, and there are currently no major known threats to this subspecies. However, climate change, pollution and human disturbance could affect its fragile island habitat.
How to help
Respect the protection of Filfla and avoid visiting the island without permission. Support organisations working to conserve Malta’s natural heritage and its important habitats.
Text: Wikipedia, licence CC BY-SA 4.0. Edited by the Editorial Team.
Photo: Patrick J Schembri.
