Many people associate lizards with holidays in the Mediterranean, but we have them here in Britain. The common lizard (Lacerta [Zootoca] vivipara) is our most common four-legged lizard. It is also known as the viviparous lizard.

Identification
The common lizard can be distinguished from newts by having dry scaly skin and being active during the day rather than at night. Lizards are very agile and alert, so if you can pick it up, then it is likely to be a newt.

Male common lizards have proportionally larger heads than the females. They also have a brighter orange belly and a more spotted rather than striped pattern.

Ecology
Common lizards feed on invertebrates such as spiders and ants. They are found in dry habitats including heathland, rough grassland and embankments. Features like wood piles and dead tree stumps are good places to find basking lizards.

These reptiles can shed their tails when captured by a predator. The tail grows back slowly to a stump which requires a lot of their energy, so do not try to catch lizards.

Common lizards give birth to live young in late summer, but many of the young fall prey to other reptiles or birds.

Lizards in Buckinghamshire
Like the adder and the slow worm, lizards are scarce across much of Bucks due to the clay soils and intensive farming. The best places to find lizards are on the Greensand Ridge (northeastern Bucks), the Chilterns (southeastern Bucks) and the glacial sands in the south of the county.

Protection
The common lizard is protected from killing, injury or trade under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.