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RAUK - Archived Forum - Strange dead reptile - Scotland

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Strange dead reptile - Scotland:

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bktheman
Member
Joined: 14 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 2


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Posted: 14 Jun 2004

Recently (13th June 2003) on a walk by sand dunes at Aberlady bay in East Lothian, Scotland, I came across what appeared to be a dead lizard. The tail was long and pointed. Not much of the animal remained, only the backbone and tail really, however the scaly skin was still visible which appeared to have several rows of spikes (like little sharks teeth) running the length of the spine and someway down the tail.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be?


Gemma Fairchild
Krag Committee
Joined: 14 Feb 2003
No. of posts: 193


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Posted: 14 Jun 2004

wild guess, but possibly a pet green iguana?


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Wolfgang Wuster
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
No. of posts: 326


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Posted: 15 Jun 2004
How big was it?

WW
Wolfgang Wüster
School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor
http://sbsweb.bangor.ac.uk/~bss166/
Donny
Senior Member
Joined: 11 May 2004
No. of posts: 53


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Posted: 17 Jun 2004

As we all know, Scotland is in fact home to one of the UK's, if not the world's, rarest reptiles....So, did your lizard look anything like this?

Donny38155.7644212963
bktheman
Member
Joined: 14 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 2


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Posted: 17 Jun 2004

I went back to the site the other day, picked up the remains, and took it to the local nature reserve warden. I must say he was a bit puzzled too. He said it was too big (over a foot long) to be any of our native lizards. After thinking about it for a while, I thought the only other thing it could probably have been (considering it was found by the sea) is perhaps a Thornback Ray or Roker, this would explain the "teeth" down the back and long tail as well as the scaly skin. There wasn't much else left of the animal, but I guess the local scavangers ripped off and ate most of the meaty parts and dropped the bony tail and indigestible parts some way behind the sand dunes. (Honestly, it really did look like some weird reptile remains!)

Of course, I am still holding out for confirmation of the nessie theory.

I'll keep you all posted if I get any update from the Warden.


Gemma Fairchild
Krag Committee
Joined: 14 Feb 2003
No. of posts: 193


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Posted: 17 Jun 2004
LOL Donny, if they ever do find nessie it will put an end to people complaining about the UK's 'impoverished' reptile biodiversity!
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Tony Phelps
Forum Specialist
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
No. of posts: 575


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Posted: 18 Jun 2004
Little ray of hope I guess.

T
(sorry tis late)
Robert V
Senior Member
Joined: 06 Aug 2004
No. of posts: 717


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Posted: 09 Aug 2004

 

or even a water dragon


RobV
j gaughan
Senior Member
Joined: 04 May 2003
No. of posts: 57


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Posted: 09 Aug 2004
In the cold light of day (just), i'm afraid to say this thing has never existed _but this (sad) fact hasn't dampened my interest in the LNM; i've followed it since the mid-1970's, collecting some lovely old books along the way

As for 'sea serpents' . . . now that's a different kettle of fish

I'm prepared to stick my neck out on these, as elusive as they are . . .

John

- Strange dead reptile - Scotland

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