Viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara) formerly (Lacerta vivipara) or Common Lizard, Adult basking on a log, in summer. They have the ability to shed part of their tails when under threat enabling them a chance to escape. It does grow back but not the same as the original tail. Viviparous mean giving birth to live young, rather than laying eggs as most other lizards do. They find some interesting poses as they seek the sun to warm their scaly skin, being cold blooded. The Common Lizard is smaller than the related Sand Lizard. It is the only Lizard found natively in Ireland, and is the most wide spread vertebrate, and is the most northern Lizard, but absent from most of the Mediterranean area. They can be found in a variety of habitats including commons, moorland, heaths, sea cliffs, dry stone walls and embankments. In the UK Common Lizards are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to kill, harm or injure them sell or trade them in any way. Northern Ireland they are fully protected, this prohibits killing, injuring, capturing, disturbance, possession or trade.
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Viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara) Adult basking in the sun, Summer. Lancashire, UK
Viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara) formerly (Lacerta vivipara) or Common Lizard, Adult basking on a log, in summer. They have the ability to shed part of their tails when under threat enabling them a chance to escape. It does grow back but not the same as the original tail. Viviparous mean giving birth to live young, rather than laying eggs as most other lizards do. They find some interesting poses as they seek the sun to warm their scaly skin, being cold blooded. The Common Lizard is smaller than the related Sand Lizard. It is the only Lizard found natively in Ireland, and is the most wide spread vertebrate, and is the most northern Lizard, but absent from most of the Mediterranean area. They can be found in a variety of habitats including commons, moorland, heaths, sea cliffs, dry stone walls and embankments. In the UK Common Lizards are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to kill, harm or injure them sell or trade them in any way. Northern Ireland they are fully protected, this prohibits killing, injuring, capturing, disturbance, possession or trade.

Filename: Viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara) formerly (Lacerta vivipara) or Common Lizard. Adult Head shot_MG_4104RM.tiff
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Date: 13 Aug 2011
Location: Lancashire, North West UK
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