Reptiles & Amphibians Lizards Common lizard Zootoca vivipara - formerly Lacerta vivipara Where to find them The common (or viviparous) lizard is most frequently seen on commons, heaths, moorland, dry stone walls, embankments and sea cliffs around the British Isles. It is the only species of reptile native to Ireland. Common lizards are widespread throughout Europe, even extending into the Arctic Circle. Identification Typical adult size is approximately 15cm (nose to tail). Colouration is commonly a shade of brown with patterns of spots or stripes. Colour variants are not uncommon: everything from yellow through various shades of green to jet black can be encountered. Newts, when on land, are sometimes mistaken for lizards. They can be told apart by looking at the skin: lizards have scaly rather than smooth, velvety skin. Lizards tend to move very quickly when disturbed. Lifecycle Mating takes place in spring and females ‘give birth’ to inch-long lizards in August. Like the adder, the common lizard incubates its eggs internally without laying shelled eggs (like for instance the sand lizard). Juvenile lizards gradually turn a copper colour as they develop into adults. The common lizard likes open sunny places and is usually found in dry, exposed locations where dense cover exists close by. Common lizards feed predominantly on spiders and insects. Protection Common lizards are protected by law in Great Britain. It is illegal to deliberately kill, injure or sell/trade common lizards. In Northern Ireland they are fully protected against killing, injuring, capturing, disturbance, possession or trade. ... Powered by Cincopa HTML Slideshow for Business solution.Common lizard (Zootoca vivipara)flash 9cameramake PENTAX Corporationheight 447camerasoftware 1.00originaldate 5/3/2006 10:33:27 PMwidth 596cameramodel PENTAX Optio 550© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 390orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 7/26/2006 2:55:29 PMwidth 613cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 7/26/2006 2:53:12 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Howard Innsflash 16cameramake PENTAX Corporationheight 447camerasoftware 1.00originaldate 6/3/2006 7:49:37 PMwidth 596cameramodel PENTAX Optio 550@ Howard Innsflash 16cameramake PENTAX Corporationheight 419camerasoftware 1.00originaldate 5/6/2006 3:20:59 PMwidth 596cameramodel PENTAX Optio 550© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 7/26/2006 2:57:25 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70@ Fred Holmesflash 9cameramake OLYMPUS IMAGING CORPheight 441orientation 1camerasoftware Version 1.0 originaldate 6/18/2006 6:35:04 PMwidth 588cameramodel E-500 © Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 9/7/2005 3:39:49 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmesoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 602height 400© Fred Holmesoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 602height 400© Ben Limburnflash 16cameramake Canonheight 816orientation 1camerasoftware Adobe Photoshop CS2 originaldate 5/14/2008 2:58:39 PMwidth 612cameramodel Canon DIGITAL IXUS 8© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 387orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 5/28/2006 8:09:26 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Red Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 9/7/2005 4:02:22 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Chris Gled-Owenflash 16cameramake OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO.,height 445orientation 1camerasoftware v754u-84originaldate 5/1/2004 4:05:21 PMwidth 594cameramodel C740UZ© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/17/2005 11:06:06 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Howard Innsflash 16cameramake PENTAX Corporationheight 447camerasoftware 1.00originaldate 5/6/2006 3:22:42 PMwidth 596cameramodel PENTAX Optio 550© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 5/28/2006 8:04:48 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70@ Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 5/28/2006 8:07:51 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 3/13/2005 8:08:08 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 902orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/28/2006 3:49:04 PMwidth 600cameramodel NIKON D70 Manage Cookie Preferences