Lizard for ID Please

jdoherty · #1 (**permalink**) 24-12-2009, 07:47 PM

I took this photo of a lizard in August 2008 in an area close to a lake owned by a good friend at Beachborough Park, near Folkestone in Kent. I think it is a common lizard but would appreciate a positive ID. Click on the thumbnail pic below for a larger image.

Thanks, John.

marvin · #2 (**permalink**) 24-12-2009, 07:49 PM

hi

you're right...it is a common lizard.

cheers
tim

jdoherty · #3 (**permalink**) 24-12-2009, 10:16 PM

Many thanks Marvin for confirming that it was a Common Lizard.

John

marvin · #4 (**permalink**) 25-12-2009, 03:48 PM

no probs

it looks like an adult female. interesting place to bask as well

tim

jdoherty · #5 (**permalink**) 26-12-2009, 03:18 PM

Thanks for your comment Tim. The lake is surrounded by rreds and then there is a large area of longish grass and bushes. I was quite surprised to spot it amongst the reeds and only got the one shot before it scarpered.

John

wellies101 · #6 (**permalink**) 30-12-2009, 09:39 PM

Yep, male common lizard. You can tell by the "spots" running down its back, males tend to be spotty, females a bit more stripey, but this isn't always 100% reliable. Also it has quite an orange belly, this in conjunction with the spotty marking on the back provide good evidence that its a male.

jdoherty · #7 (**permalink**) 31-12-2009, 08:52 AM

Many thanks wellies101 for your comment. Tim suggested a female but you have suggested a male. Now I'm not sure but your evidence seems to sway me in favour of a male, although you do state that it isn't certain.

Thanks, John.

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 31-12-2009, 02:14 PM

This is a female look at the very plain spotless belly. A male would have its belly, underside and lower flank covered with small black spots.

wellies101 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-01-2010, 05:28 PM

I stand corrected. Those marks on the back do look more stripey on second glance. I have to admit I do find Common lizard sexing tricky, there is a lot of variation within the species.

Dogghound · #10 (**permalink**) 01-01-2010, 05:38 PM

If you can see the underside then its a really reliable way to sex them, males have a very speckled underside. Females can show spots but usually these arebvery few and spread out (although variability does occur). Females also normally have a stripe running down the back (vertebral) plus dark flanks (vertebral stripe often broke or not present in males). Females also tend do have smaller limbs and a longer wider distance between limbs.