The species involved is the Italian Ruin Lizard Podarcis sicula campestris it seems to have been introduced in 1927 (Kauffeld,C.F. 1931 Copeia p 163-4) although it was identified as Lacerta melisellensis at the time. This article is quoted in Smith,H.M. 1946 Handbook of Lizards p.398-401.

A further article Conant,R. 1959 Copeia 1959 (4)335-6 Lacerta colony still extant at Philadelphia. The site was on the Pennsylvania Railroad and a nearby lumber yard. The species is included with a coloured photograph in Behler & King 1979 The Audubon field guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians p 367. The species is widespread in Italy and along the Adriatic coast of Croatia.

The Long Island species is apparently Podarcis sicula sicula and there is an article by Gossweiler,W.A. 1975 European Lizards established on Long Island Copeia 1975 (3) 584-5 although the black & white photo does show the typical pattern of Podarcis sicula campestris to me and this was the one that was in the pet trade in Europe.

I hope this helps and that people may realise that these lizards will hibernate in the winter so snow or freezing is not a problem as long as they can get below the frost line. The Viviparous Lizard Lacerta vivipara lives above the Arctic circle in Europe so is even a tougher little beast.





Dave

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