What is this lizard up to?

[Vipera]

Today i attempted to see all 4 widespread reptiles that are near to me, I got loads of slow worms at forst, sevral in my compost bin, and a big mass of them under a bit of old rusty metal in a location just across from my allotment, where i also saw my first "Hampshire" grass snake of the year (saw several in Somerset a few weeks ago) so then i went to another location and as i was about to lift up a peice of felt to see what was under it, a common lizard ran onto it and started making these funny movements, its tail was missing and i wondered if it was in any pain, i often wonder if they feel any pain when they drop there tails, i also thought it might be trying to eat something but i cant see any insect.
Have a look, maybe its just doing a little display for me!
CopyofMVI_8961_mpeg2video.flv video by AstroGeo - Photobucket

[sunnydale]

He did look a little nervous but I'm not sure what the wriggling movements were all about. Watching him, it's easy to assume he is in pain and it does seem like he is....but I'm no expert and have only seen a few small common lizards myself.


This was my last one......

[Wild-Woman]

Looks like something is irritating it underneath. Never seen that before.

[The Woodman]

The lizards activity looks very much like that done by a snake as it starts to shed its skin. A snake starts at the nose by rubbing the skin off on a hard surface and then continues by using body pressure against suitable objects to peel it off inside out.

The way the lizard appears to me to be rubbing the end of its nose on the mineral surface of the felt might be the reason. I've never seen a lizard shed its skin. Do they?

[Vipera]

Thanks for the replies, i posted this question on another site dedicated to reptiles and amphibians, and quite a few people suggested that lizards often rub there mouths to get rid of any bits of insects that they have eaten, nobody suggested skin shedding but that doesnt rule that possibilty out, yes they do shed, but it dosnt come of in one go like a snake.
Im happy i managed to get this video of lizard activity becuase normaly my videos are just them basking, which can tend to be a bit boring, its nice to see one actually doing something!

[The Woodman]

Thanks for the info Vipera.

Now that you've mentioned it, I've seen them do the mouth wiping action after eating ants in Spain.