Malta and Gozo - Wildlife

We saw wildlife during our visit to Malta and Gozo in 2011

Malta and Gozo Bats

Grey long-eared bat - Plecotus austriacus - is a fairly large European bat found on Malta and Gozo. We believe we spotted a couple flying in the evening in Bugibba. It has distinctive ears, long and with a distinctive fold. It hunts above woodland, often by day, and mostly for moths. It is an endangered species.

Malta and Gozo Lizzards

Little grey / brown lizzard on Malta and Gozo

Moorish gecko - Tarentola-mauritanica

We saw this little lizzard quite a few times during our stay in Malta and visit to Gozo. They measure up to around 15 cm, includind the tail. They have chubby bodies and a flat head. Back, legs and tail have prominent conic tubercles that liik quite spikey. The ones with regenerated tails don't have tubercles on the tail. Wide mouth, big eyes with no eyelids. Toes have big flat lateral growths. The ones we saw were dark brownish grey or brown with darker or lighter spots. Apparently these colours can change depending upon light intensity. We saw the Moorish gecko - Tarentola-mauritanica on ruins, rock fields, pavements, etc.