You may spot…
Common lizard, Zootoca vivipara
Often confused with newts, the common lizard is small and favours sunbathing on walls and logs rather than frequenting ponds. They’re typically found in woodland, grassland and heathland, but can turn up in gardens.
Green-brown with spots or stripes along its flanks, and up to 15cm long, males have bright-yellow or orange-spotted undersides, while female bellies are plain and paler. Mating takes place in April and May. Rather than lay eggs, the female incubates the eggs inside her body and gives birth to up to 11 live young in July. While carrying the eggs, she has a bloated, ‘pregnant’ look.
Cold blooded, common lizards spend the morning basking in sunshine near dense cover such as long grass, where they can return to safety…