The common lizard has a great variation in colour but tends to be brownish with spotted and striped patterns, although different colour morphs exist, such as the rare plain morph which has been spotted in the Woods! Common lizards may also be melanistic, which means completely black.

Common lizards are sexually dimorphic meaning males and females look different. A male lizard tends to be ‘spotty’ whilst a female tends to be more ‘stripey’. The sex can be more easily distinguished by their bellies as males have bright orange or yellow bellies covered with black spots, whereas females have plain grey or yellowish bellies with no spots. Common lizards are also known as viviparous lizards, which means they give birth to live young, unlike many other species of reptile which lay eggs. However, interestingly, populations in warmer climates actually lay eggs and these populations tend not to interbreed successfully with live young laying lizards. A female may give birth from 3 to 11 offspring which are born black with no markings.

Whilst this species is widespread, studies have suggested a decline in its numbers and it has recently been added to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, it is also protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.

 

 

On my regular exploration of the land off Glyders, accompanied by Andy Sanders, he spotted this little fella, top right and right middle. Although a common lizard, there was something unusual about it, particularly its lack of marking. The photo bottom left I took on the Downs shows the more usual marking, even on the very young ones (next to my ring). The official photo of the plain morph is shown bottom right. I am waiting confirmation from Essex Amphibian & Reptile Group. Fingers crossed - it could be our salvation!