RAUK - Archived Forum - Sand Lizard Identification and Sightings

A description and images of the Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis may be found at:

http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/sand_lizard.htm

® Tony Phelps Reptile research and Imagery

27 March  Adult Male sand lizard now very much in evidence.

                Some 'greener' than others but nowhere as intense as breeding green. Some Males have hardly any green showing, so look carefully if you are in sand lizard country - females are also out in good numbers. Male has much more 'chunky' head.

Also last years young - in Dorset obvious size difference between early (normal) broods and young from second clutches.

Total sand lizards seen today.

Studland NNR 12 males 4 females 5 immature

Hartland Moor NNR 8 males 2 immature

Matchams Nr Bournemouth 13 males 2 females 5 immature

Others-smooth snake - 9 adders - grass snake- 8 slow worms 6 common liz

Was watching male sand lizard mate-searching today, 1500, NrWareham.

An immature common lizard turned up and the sand lizard chased it and seized it by the tail, the tail was cast, and the sand lizard ate it. Just shows they do have more than sex on their mind at this time of year.

Tony  

Anyone have any idea why the sand lizard vanished from chobham common in the late 70's?

Thanks,

Alan

Sand lizard exit Chobham

Sand lizard were for sdale in per shops in Surrey in late 60s early 70s and Chobham was a collectors magnet at that time.

Since then, bad fires, bad management.

Having said that - talking to HCT, there has been no proper survey for some years so who knows?

Tony

Thanks Tony ,

Now you mention it I seem to remember seeing our UK herps for sale in a Staines pet shop during the 70's

Alan

Bank Holiday Mon - Purbeck

Had to euthanise a female sand lizard at Hartland, hit by car. Five dead reptiles on this small section of road this year so far.

1 fem sand liz. 2 male adders, 1 female adder, 1 female slow worm

The male adders here criss cross the road mate-searching, always casualties each year.

Tony

If you are near sand lizard country it would be useful to have records of early nest excavation. Had two females digging this morning, going out in about half an hour to see how they are getting on, plus others hopefully. Last year quite a number of females were actively digging last week in May some even earlier - definitely nest chambers - behaviour, type of burrow, one can tell. They seem so vulnerable at this time, heads down, oblivious sort of thing, but most make it OK. Some females on one of my sites are now over eight years of age - thats good going. If this warm weather continues, and it is said to be going to reach 27Deg+ then they will be excavating at dusk or even later.

Tony

Thanks John,

Give Mike my love and tell him to join the forum.

More digging today in Purbeck. A total of eight females nesting includes two in Wareham Forest. Also some of last years juvs are still very small, I know these are second clutches but one would have thought they would be a bit more chunky by now. Also, sand lizards, adult males and imms and juvs in Molinea today one adult male in water. Plus two juv02 adders same area.

Any grass snakes nesting yet anybody? I have not seen any and have checked regular sites.

Tony

Conversely, Merseyside animals seem to lay later even when translocated to a South Coast vivarium. My earliest in "normal" years (whatever they are!) is 26 May but was on 4 June this year. These correlate with first laying dates in Merseyside. My last first clutch (so to speak) was on 20 June - again, fairly typical for these in the wild as well. It seems that the typical wild delay of about a fortnight behind the southerners persists even in the southern climate.

I guess everybody has their own system;

I include an anotated map and aerial pic of the area covered, (together with usual Met. info & time on/off etc) and record it as a Nil return.

I'm getting used to those at Ash

I found a sand lizard today at a site on private land close to Hankley Common in Surrey.  Trouble is, looks as if the landowner has begun excavating this superb reptile bank for sand, although these excavations were at the other end from where I spotted the sand lizard. 

I'd like to know if the conservation status of sand lizards and smooth snakes offers them special protection from the activities of landowners even if they are on private land.

In addition, I also came across 4 slow worms and a grass snake on this site and the rustlings in the reeds indicated the presence of two more, though these weren't spotted.

Hello,

Spring sprung?

Had first Sand Lizard of year today in bright sun but rather chill easterly wind.

I think a large adult male, no colour but big head! Took a short vid and will try and post a still.

Had first common lizard yesterday.

Better get those surveying shorts out of the wardrobe!

Steve

Saw the first Sandy of the year on Merseyside today - an adult male. Unfortunately, he was too nervous for any photos.

Mike

As promised pics of early L. agilis

Adult individual seen on 9th and imm was seen on 21st, I was surprised quite how small he/she was only about 3" in total I assume a late hatcher? (I've had to compress them a bit for web page but hopefully still clear)