Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis)

There are some species that really are specialities here in Dorset. In fact, in the National Biodiversity Database there are more species recorded for the Isle of Purbeck than for any other area of similar size in the whole of the United Kingdom (This is what I am told, I have never checked it out!). This is primarily because of the Dorset heathland and the special animals and plants found there; some are very rare indeed and found only in this habitat.

So it is with the Sand Lizard. Along with the Smooth Snake they are nationally very rare creatures and they are not that common here, they take some finding!

Being cold blooded they often use metal, especially corrugated iron, to warm themselves. The metal quickly heats in the sun and retains that heat and the lizards and snakes are quick to take advantage of it. However, until they are up to temperature there is little they can do to avoid the glare of the camera!

The male Sand Lizard has this lovely green colouring and are quite 'chubby' and so they are quite easily told apart from their duller, slimmer cousins, the Common Lizard.

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