Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis

The Sand Lizard is native to much of temperate Europe from France to European Russia, but has a patchy distribution. In the UK, it is present only on a small number of sandy heath or dune sites mainly in the New Forest and Dorset, and is rare and endangered.

Sand Lizards are brown or olive-brown with longitudinal rows of dark-bordered white spots. Males develop vivid green flanks when breeding (and for the Russian subspecies, a full green body). They can grow to 18-20cm long, including the tail (which can be shed when in danger).

Sand Lizards lay eggs (one clutch per year) buried and incubated in sand or soft soil. They hibernate in burrows in the coldest months.