Common Lizard

Common Lizards range across central and northern Europe (but are absent from the Mediterranean area) and through to northern Asia. They are the most common lizard in northern regions and the only reptile found in Ireland.

Common Lizards have long bodies and short legs. They have coarse scales which range from grey, brown, bronze or green on the back and males are generally darker than females. They have a series of white spots down the flanks, which fuse to form a line, and a black line along the back. Common Lizards also have numerous black spots scattered over the body. Males have orange/yellow bellies with black spots and females have cream/white bellies.

Common Lizards are found in a range of habitats including woodland, marshes, heathland, moors, sand dunes, hedgerows, bogs and rubbish dumps and they hunt insects, spiders, snails and earthworms, stunning their prey by shaking it and then swallowing it whole.

Common Lizards are active during the day and spend the morning and afternoon (but not the intense heat of midday) basking in the sun either alone or in groups. They are good swimmers and will dive underwater when threatened. At night, and when startled, they will shelter beneath logs, stones and metal sheets.

After emerging from hibernation, males defend breeding territories from other males. The young develop over 3 months within egg membranes inside the female's body which they usually break out of as she gives birth. Litters of 3 to 12 young are born from June to September after which time the mother shows no parental care with the young feeding actively from birth and quickly dispersing.

Common Lizards hibernate from October to March. They will often hibernate in groups and sometimes emerge for a brief time during warm spells.

Date: 6th April 2007

Location: Chobham Common, Surrey