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Common Lizard
(Lacerta vivipara)

As its name suggests this lizard is widely distributed in Wales

The common lizard grows to about 15cm long, most of this being a long, thin tail which is quickly jettisoned if the lizard is picked up by a predator or human. The colour can be quite variable, from brown and yellow to bright green. This can cause confusion with the rare sand lizard (Lacerta agilis), which has a much 'heavier' appearance, especially the head and neck, and is confined to a few sand-dune sites.

Common lizards eat small invertebrates. The young are born between June and August.

The common lizard is widely distributed throughout Wales, occupying many different types of habitat, especially where there is dense cover adjacent to open areas for basking. It is often most easy to see in coastal areas such as cliff tops and sand-dunes.

Information from CCW Species Series: Reptiles in Wales