In the third episode in the series 'British Herpetofauna' we talk about the common lizard.
The common lizard or viviparous lizard, is potentially Britain’s most plentiful reptile, or at least its most visible. They can often be sighted basking on stone walls or fence posts around scrubby, overgrown areas. Common lizards potentially have the largest distribution of any terrestrial reptile, with their range even extending into the Arctic Circle. Like the slow worm, they are generalists, meaning they live in a wide variety of habitats.
Common lizards are reasonably small reptiles growing to around 12cm, excluding tail, yet some males can reach upwards of 20cm. They can weigh between 5 and 10 grams, and have a distinct dark colouration with stripes or spots. Some individuals can be very black, whereas others can be much lighter - almost yellowish. Males typically have much more of a slender body than females. Common lizard heads are also very round, with a thick neck and tail.
The breeding season can start as early as April and May, with females harnessing the ability, much like the slow worm, to incubate the eggs internally, only to eventually give birth to live young in clutches of around 7. Hence their alternative name, viviparous lizard, which means live birth.
Common lizards favour small insects and invertebrates much like the sand lizard, such as spiders, woodlouse, springtails and ants. Wild specimens are often observed to have parts or their whole tail missing which is caused by predation from a range of animals, such as birds, cats, foxes and larger lizards. Despite their suggestive name, common lizards are becoming increasingly uncommon, with urban expansion causing devastation to their breeding and hibernation sites.
Common lizards are extremely hardy, allowing them to withstand the UK’s unpredictable climate. They can often be seen basking, on a sunny day, on top of fence posts, stone walls and grass banks, even in the middle of winter. If you see a lizard in Britain, it’s highly likely that it's a common lizard.
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26 янв 2021
