Sand Lizard
colours
Description
Sand Lizards are stocky and short legged and have small, blunt heads and snouts with short tails. The feamle is a grey to dark grey colour, has a cream white belly and a pattern of dark brown markings along it's back and flanks, with the markings often filled with a white patch. Males are brown/black with a darker central stripe and with markings similar to the female. Males have green flanks and pale green bellies that become brighter during the breeding season.
Primary Image
Scientific Name
Lacerta agilis
Distribution
Rare in the U.K. found in the South of England.
Life Span
Habitat
Heathland and sand dunes in the U.K.
Length
15-24cm females being longer.
Confusion Species
Reproduction
This takes place in April, mating taking place over a number of days. The female lays between 7 - 18 eggs from late June to July normally in a sandy burrow, the eggs hatching after 40-60 days. Male lizards will fight each other over the females, grabbing the necks of their opponents and rolling over and over. It is usually the smaller lizard who will retreat.
Also Known As
Diet
Behaviour
They are active during the day but difficult to spot as they are very shy creatures. They form small colonies often sharing the same burrows, hibernating from October until March. The males emerging well before the females.
Status
They are endangered in Britain and under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) it is an offence to kill, injure or sell a Sand Lizard.