Sand Lizard Unique

Animals Unique | Sand Lizard Unique | The sand lizard is a small species of lizard is found across Europe That and into parts of Asia. The sand lizard is one of only three species of lizard natively found in the UK along with the slow-worm and the common lizard, and is protected in Britain (and much of Europe) as Populations are low in most areas.

The sand lizard is found inhabiting grass and heath-lands along with coastal dunes throughout the which it's native range extends from the United Kingdom, east across Europe to Mongolia. Despite having a fairly wide distribution however, sand lizard Populations are sparse and are completely extinct from Certain areas of Their native habitats.

 

The sand lizard is a Relatively small, yet "stocky" That lizard species is usually of a light brown color, with darker markings running down it's back. Male sand lizards however, are known for Their remarkable color change, as Their skin turns from a dull brown to a bright green during the mating season, in order to more easily attract a female to mate with.

 

As with other Reptiles, the sand lizard is a cold blooded animal and must therefore, first warm up before it is Itself Able to hunt for food. Sand lizards spend the daytimes basking on a rock in the hot sun, the which Their blood warms up, re-charging them for an evening of hunting. The brownish color of the sand lizard's skin acts as a good camouflage when the sand lizard is sun-bathing.

Like many other lizard species, the sand lizard is a Carnivorous animal That meaning it has to hunt and eat other animals in order to survive. Sands lizards primarily feast on a variety of invertebrates Including insects, Grasshoppers and spiders, the which They watch closely using powerfully Their excellent sight before grabbing hold of Their meal with strong Their tongue.

 

The small size of the sand lizard, coupled with sluggish nature when it's warming up during the day, makes these animals a prime targets for hungry predators. Birds, dogs and cats are the most common predators of the sand lizard, along with habitat destruction or total loss Caused by Humans.

Sand lizards mate in the early summer when lazy to begin to show off Their new green patterns in order to attract and impress a female mate. Female sand lizards lay Their eggs in the sand where They are incubated by the sun and not by the mother. As with other lizard species, very little care is provided by the parents for WHO Their young are independent from a very early age.

 

Today, habitat loss has pushed these lizards into smaller and smaller areas and sand lizard Populations across Europe are now under threat. The sand lizard is Considered to be an animal at threat from extinction in the wild and is protected in much of it's natural range.

Sand Lizard Unique Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptiles
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Lacerta
Scientific Name: Lacerta agilis
Type: Reptile
Diet: Carnivore
Size (L): 13cm - 20cm (5in - 7.8in)
Weight: 10g - 15g (0.35oz - 0.5oz)
Top Speed: 48km / h (30mph)
Life Span: 5-8 years
Lifestyle: Solitary
Conservation Status: Threatened
Colour: Green, Black, Brown, Tan
Skin Type: Scales
Favourite Food: Spiders
Habitat: Grass and heathland
Average Clutch Size: 8
Main Prey: Spiders, Insects, Grasshoppers
Predators: Birds, Cats, Foxes
Distinctive Features: Striped patterned body and Forked tongue