Five facts about Common Lizards

Common Lizards are the reptile you’re most likely to come across in Scotland, although as they are very quick you might only just spot a scaly tail as it vanishes into the undergrowth! Here are five facts about this speedy species.

Common Lizards live further north than any other reptile species. They’re found almost everywhere in mainland Scotland, particularly in the Borders and the Highlands, but are absent from most of our islands. They're not too picky when it comes to habitat, as long as there are patches of sunlight, insects and spiders for them to eat and enough vegetation for them to hide in. Keep an eye out in grassland, heathland and moorland, on woodland edges and sea cliffs and even in gardens!

 A Common Lizard basking on a stone wall at RSPB Scotland Forsinard Flows nature reserve. Paul Turner

Common Lizards are very variable in colour, from brown to green, often with darker markings down their backs. Males have bright yellow or orange undersides with spotty markings, females have paler undersides with few or no markings. They’re quite small, normally only between 10 -15 cm long, half of which is their tail!

Like other reptiles, Common lizards are cold-blooded, meaning they rely on the environment to regulate their temperature. This means they like to bask in patches of sunlight to warm up, especially before hunting insects and other small prey. Between October and March when the temperatures drop too low, Common Lizards hibernate under rocks and fallen logs, often in small groups.

 A Common Lizard at RSPB Scotland Mull of Galloway nature reserve. Robert Conn

Common Lizards have a neat trick when it comes to avoiding predators. When threatened, they can shed the end of their tail, which will carry on wriggling, distracting the predator, and giving the lizard chance to escape! Once the tail has regrown, they are able to shed it again when approached by another predator!

Unlike most other lizards, Common Lizards give birth to live young. Instead of laying eggs, Common Lizards are viviparous – with babies developing inside the female, rather than in eggs. Mating normally takes place in late spring, and up to 10 young are then born in July.

Main image: a close up of a Common Lizard looking into the camera. Ben Andrew