Reptiles

The fourth species, the Turkish Gecko, has only recently arrived and is only found in the vicinity of Santa Cruz. The Giant Lizard, a relative of the Canary Lizard, is now extinct on Tenerife but still occurs on Gran Canaria.

Several species of marine turtle may be seen in the waters around Tenerife but none breed on the island.

The Canary Lizard

The Canary or Tenerife Lizard, found on the island of Tenerife and La Palma, is a sizeable lizard, with strong males reaching up to 40 cm (including tail). The striking color of adult males and their curious nature endear them to many tourists. At popular sights, notably Mount Teide, the lizards have become rather tame and an attraction of sorts themselves. It is quite popular to bring some ripe bananas along for the lizards, which are a most favorite food of this species and will provide travellers with good photo opportunities as the animals scurry over the rocks and even onto visitor's hands to catch a bite.

Canary Gecko

Geckos are small to average sized lizards belonging to the family Gekkonidae which are found in warm climates throughout the world. Geckos are unique among lizards in their vocalizations, making chirping sounds. This species is found in most habitats. It lives in stony and rocky areas, lava fields, stone walls, dunes, salt flats with vegetation, scrubland, cultivated areas and human habitations. The females lay clutches of one or two eggs.

Canary Skink

The Canary Skink found in the north of the island looks roughly like true lizards, but have no pronounced neck and relatively small legs. Often, their way of moving resembles that of snakes more than that of other lizards. They have long, tapering tails that can be shed and regenerated. Skinks are generally carnivorous and largely eat insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars. They also eat spiders, earthworms, snails, slugs, isopods, other lizards, and small rodents.