unkown lizard

[billybob99]

Hi could anyone id this lizard i saw earlier basking on a large stump im afraid my reptile knowledge is zero
thanks
andrew

[marvin]

hi

it is a common lizard. nice spot and a nice pic.

cheers
tim

[clarebear]

That's a lovely shot. We recently saw one whilst visiting Ynys Hir RSPB reserve. Just as I was saying I'd expect to see some basking on the stumps where we were walking I looked down to see one! Where about's did you spot this lovely chap?

[JaySteel]

Yes it's a common lizard. Sounds much better if you refer to it by its official name: Viviparous lizard!

[clarebear]

What I didn't know until yesterday is that it isn't called a common lizard because it's common but because it's often found on commons. You learn something new every day. Well in my case many times a day!

[billybob99]

I found him at fernworthy reservoir on dartmoor it was with another slightly lighter brown colour I'll stick a photo of the other one up in a bit I take it that it's male and female

[clarebear]

I've not been to Dartmoor but it's on my list! I'd be very interested to see photos of the lighter one.

[faz]

i love dartmoor

[marvin]

Originally Posted by billybob99

I take it that it's male and female

not that simple i'm afraid.

you can get a lot of variation within sexes.

general things to look out for are a dark unbroken stripe down the back for females and a more broken stripe with 'spots' over the back for males; very orange belly with numerous obvious black spots for males; and a bulge at the very base of the tail for males.

so on that basis, although there isn't an obvious bulge at the base of the tail from the photograph (although there may be one), the fact that the stripe along the back is broken with other 'spots' down the back too, and because there is evidence of orange colouring under the front legs which in turn suggests a deep orange belly, i think it's a male.

cheers
tim

[billybob99]

Originally Posted by clarebear

I've not been to Dartmoor but it's on my list! I'd be very interested to see photos of the lighter one.

here you go not a brilliant photo though