Lizard or newt?

[kiwi]

I need an Id please but i don't have a photo so i will describe it the best i can.

My dad found it under a rock and it was cold so he took it home (i moaned at him for doing that) he said it was a lizard but it was almost black with a bright yellow underbelly. It's skin was dry and scaly which i guess is unlike a newt and it was the same size as lizards i see in pictures. It's feet were not webbed but its tail was longer than common lizards i have seen in pictures. Heres a more brief summary:

~ Same size as a common lizard
~ Tail quite long and feet were not webbed
~ Found under a rock
~ Black with a bright yellow underbelly
~ Skin was dry and scaly

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[debbiethomson]

Sounds like a newt, their skin is dry. When not breeding they can wander far from water and like to hide under things.

Debbie

[kiwi]

Oh ok thank you for the Id.
Any suggestions on how i can find British reptiles?
As ive never seen one before.

[marvin]

hi

it could even be a great crested newt. where abouts in the country are you?

tmi

[debbiethomson]

Kiwi,

Do you mean where you can find reptiles? I'll get my son to answer when he gets back from college as reptiles are his greatest love and he's a a bit of a whizz when it comes to finding them.

Debbie

[kiwi]

I thought it could of been a great crested newt I'm in Shropshire. A bit bad that my dad took it home if it was but it escaped anyway.

Oh and yes i meant were i can find them if anyone can help on that?

[marvin]

hi

there are supposed to be common lizards on the heath on the wrekin which looks close to you.

http://www.shropshirewalking.co.uk/d...aflet%20v3.pdf

tim

[kiwi]

ohh thankyou

[Meta menardi]

I used to farm at Cound, we got loads of Sloworms and Grass snakes in any manure heaps we had in the fields, but they are not easy to see. What about joining a local Natural History society? Most societies need younger members, but if you drag your Dad along as well they will get 2 for the work of getting one.

When I lived at Cross Houses, one of our neighbours had a real mortal fear of newts, she called them Azguls. Is this a local name you know?

[kiwi]

Ive never heard of "Azguls"
I will have a look at any natural history society's near me.
Thankyou