Lizards eggs

[GFM]

I was walking over the Dark Peak District on Sunday and we saw Common Lizards on 3 separate occassions during the day, obviously doing very well there. One was clearly a pregnant female which appeared to be regenerating its tail. It prompted the question do both our native lizards lay eggs and if so are there any pictures of Common or Sand lizard eggs.

[JackintheGreen]

All three of our native lizards (you forgot the slow worm ) have eggs, but the common lizard doesn't 'lay' them in the traditional sense. The eggs are retained inside the female's body until they are ready to hatch. They may emerge as eggs that hatch immediately or they may hatch before or during laying so that the female gives birth to live young. I was lucky enough to see it once, it was amazing.

[GFM]

Thanks for that as that explains how some books say they lay eggs and others say live young. Lucky you for seeing it.

[GCN lova]

the reason they are not laid as eggs is that it may be too cold here but in warmer countries i think they lay eggs. as far as i know this is the same case with slow worms but sand lizards lay eggs (in the warm sand dunes and heathlands where they are found).

[ViperaBerus]

Sand lizards are the only lizard within the UK that lay eggs and don't give birth to live young.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by GFM

Thanks for that as that explains how some books say they lay eggs and others say live young. Lucky you for seeing it.

I believe the common or vivaporous lizard (as we are meant to call it now apparently, named after the life birth reproduction method) does lay eggs but only in the southern part of its European range, not in the UK. May explain why different books said different things.

[King Edward]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

I believe the common or vivaporous lizard (as we are meant to call it now apparently, named after the life birth reproduction method) does lay eggs but only in the southern part of its European range, not in the UK. May explain why different books said different things.

The name 'Common Lizard' does seem more appropriate overall, since it is the world's most widespread lizard species, and not all populations are viviparous. Although 'Viviparous Lizard' is at least a direct translation of the Latin name.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by King Edward

The name 'Common Lizard' does seem more appropriate overall, since it is the world's most widespread lizard species, and not all populations are viviparous. Although 'Viviparous Lizard' is at least a direct translation of the Latin name.

Agreed. But I think its like with the common newt now being called smooth newt, its for PR purposes! When you approach a council or who ever and say "you can't build here, there are common lizards," it gives the impression the species is common and doesn't need protecting. This is why herptologists are being encouraged to use the alternative common names or scientific names. Well atleast thats what I've been told!

[GFM]

Great informative responses. Are there any library pics of eggs?

[JackintheGreen]

Originally Posted by GFM

Great informative responses. Are there any library pics of eggs?

Not sure about library pics but if you do a Google image search for 'viviparous lizard eggs' a few good ones of newly hatched young and one of one hatching can be found. I don't think I'm supposed to do links........