The Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini) is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is found in the Canary Islands.
Etymology: The specific name, stehlini, is in honor of Swiss paleontologist Hans Georg Stehlin, who collected the holotype.
G. stehlini grows to a total length (including tail) of up to 80 cm. It is among the largest reptiles within the family Lacertidae. The species comes in a variety of grays, browns, and reddish hues. Unlike their female counterparts, males exhibit sizable jowls, robust heads and overall greater body mass.
Diet: G. stehlini is a true omnivore. The young often consume various invertebrates, vegetation and soft fruits. As they mature, their diet largely consists of plant matter.
Geographic range: G. stehlini is endemic to Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands of Spain but it has been introduced to Fuerteventura.
Habitat: The natural habitats of G. stehlini are temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, rocky shores, and pastureland, at altitudes from sea level to .
Reproduction: G. stehlini is oviparous.
Conservation Status: The Gran Canaria Giant Lizard is listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered as of July 2024, due to the introduction of California kingsnake.
Source: Wikipedia, article Gallotia stehlini.
Content adapted from Wikipedia, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Accessed on 17/07/2026.