"The Italian wall lizard, ruin lizard, or İstanbul lizard (Podarcis sicula from the Greek meaning 'agile' and 'feet') is a species of lizard ... City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > New York > Long Island: Similar Threads. The Italian Wall Lizard. There was no correlation between prey size and either head width or snout-vent length of the lizards. Released from a pet shop in Hempstead New York, they have made their way much farther west and east, and we can expect them to continue until they reach the end of Long Island.
Apparently a carton of these guys busted open and they made their escape to the track embankment where by coincidence was a good habitat for them and two it was an express way for them to move to other parts of the island. "Italian Wall Lizards are the only lizard that can be found living in our natural environment on Long Island. They were introduced in Garden City in the 1960's I believe. Ground zero for the Italian wall lizards was a pet store in Mineola that was located close to the LIRR Ronkokoma line. They are highly adaptable and show evidence of quick evolution.
prey species diversity for the Long Island and two of four European populations. Very colorful and beautiful little animal, about the same size as the Florida Anole (AKA: Chameleon).
INTRODUCTION Italian wall lizards (Podarcis sicula campestris) were introduced to Long Island, New York, in …