Island Life October/November 2018

Country Life
Photo: Common Lizard by Ross Hoddinott 2020 Vision
10 things you didn’t know about
Common lizards
1. The common lizard is our most
widespread reptile, one of only
two ‘legged’ lizards in the UK.
2. Common lizards are variable
in colour, but are usually
brownish-grey, often with
rows of darker spots or stripes
down the back and sides.
Males have bright yellow or
orange undersides with spots,
while females have paler,
plain bellies.
3. If threatened by a predator,
the common lizard will shed
its tail to distract the attacker
and make a quick getaway.
This leaves a scar, but the
lizard can regrow its tail,
although it is usually shorter
than the original.
4. Common lizards hibernate
through the winter, usually
beneath piles of rocks or logs,
or in small burrows under the
ground.
5. Common lizards can lay eggs
and ‘give birth’ to live young;
the young can hatch inside
their mother and emerge as
fully formed lizards. They lay
eggs in warm climates, and
deliver live young in cold ones.
6. Common lizards are diurnal
animals, meaning they sleep
at night and are active during
the day.
7. Sadly, there appears to be a
decline in the population of
UK common lizards. For this
reason, they are listed on the
UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
8. Adults emerge from
hibernation in spring, mate in
April and May, and produce
three to eleven young in July.
9. Common lizards are sunseekers,
and can often be
found sunbathing in warm
weather.
10. The common lizard feeds on
invertebrates, mostly small
insects, spiders and small
snails. The lizard shakes its
prey in its jaws before chewing
it and swallowing it whole.
Discover more with your local
Wildlife Trust: www.hiwwt.org.uk
90
www.visitilife.com