2 Lizzards and a couple of questions

[goosey]

This first image was taken last week at Elterwater in Cumbria and I would like an ID please. I was kicking myself for missing one photo oppertunity when I spotted this one. It had a noticeable blue spot behind it's head, which isn't so obvious in the photo. I can't be sure of the size but it was about 8cm, but it seems to have lost it's tail - why does this actually happen?




This second was taken on the Ingleton waterfall walk in North Yorkshire. It looks like a photo Galanthus has had ID"d as a common lizzard. However, it looks like it had recently eaten, it's stomach was bulging and it was a bit lethargic - what do they eat what could be so big?

[Za]

Hi Goosey, nice pics. Lizards can shed their tail when caught by predators, the detached tail keeps wriggling and the lizard can escape and grow a new tail section.They both look like common lizards to me.
Za

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by goosey

However, it looks like it had recently eaten, it's stomach was bulging and it was a bit lethargic - what do they eat what could be so big?

I think it is probably carrying young - we got a lot like this around near us at the moment.

[yellowhammer]

Yup, both common lizards, nice photos too The second one is a gravid female full of young & about to drop. Keep an eye open for the tiny black youngsters over the next few weeks

As a rule of thumb, a prominent black line along the back means that an individual is probably female, but common lizards are so variable it's not guaranteed.

[johnpw]

Originally Posted by yellowhammer

Yup, both common lizards, nice photos too The second one is a gravid female full of young & about to drop. Keep an eye open for the tiny black youngsters over the next few weeks

As a rule of thumb, a prominent black line along the back means that an individual is probably female, but common lizards are so variable it's not guaranteed.

I hadn't realised that a black line along the back might indicate the female. Since the same is true of slow-worms is this a more general feature of lizards?

[yellowhammer]

Unfortunately not! It's not even that reliable in slow worms to be honest, especially in sub-adult sizes - in certain areas (it seems, more than others) lots of young males will show a stripe, and lose it as they age. Personally I find the darker flanks a more reliable guide.

To be 100% certain you really need the individual in hand. It's a shame that it's a lot easier to say than to do though...

[goosey]

Thanks Za, Rob and yellowhammer. I really didn't think they were the same, but there you go, all these variations are rather confusing. Also I didn't think about it being pregnant and
I have just realised I spelt lizard wrong- everytime I wrote it - what a plonker , I shall go and try and get my act together now .
Thanks for the compliments about the photos .

[GME]

Hi Goosey,
I like your lizards - you did have a successful trip for reptiles. Sorry to hijack your thread but I wondered if your Adder pics from Haweswater came out alright? I've included a couple that I managed but they were once again taken using my phone as my new Canon DSLR gets delivered next week Hope yours are better. Anyway, I'd love to see them





Gareth

[goosey]

Originally Posted by GME

Hi Goosey,
I like your lizards - you did have a successful trip for reptiles. Sorry to hijack your thread but I wondered if your Adder pics from Haweswater came out alright? I've included a couple that I managed but they were once again taken using my phone as my new Canon DSLR gets delivered next week Hope yours are better. Anyway, I'd love to see them

These are a couple that I took. I still can't believe how close I was able to get.
Months ago there was a thread here on 3 things you hope to photograph this year and an Adder was on my list with a Dragonfly, which I got and an Osprey which alas I didn't - except from the Web cam screens at Whinlatter, which is cheating, more than I got of the Golden eagle though

[GME]

They're lovely potos It was a real treat to be able to get so close to them in the wild. When we got there one must have slithered away so it's great to see them both together like that. I love the second shot - I couldn't get round to take a picture of her head without disturbing her too much so a 'bum' shot was all I could manage!

Thanks for sharing and good luck sorting through all the rest of your photos now you're home