Sand lizard

Description

In German-speaking countries, sand lizards reach total lengths of about 24 cm. Particularly large animals here have snout-vent lengths of about 9.5 cm and tail lengths of about 14 cm. The largest known snout-vent length of 11.5 cm comes from a sand lizard from the Caucasus. In general, females have longer trunks, while males have longer heads and slightly longer tails. Compared to the common lizard and the European wall lizard, the animal appears plumper and much stronger. The sides of the snout are steep and high, ending blunted forward. The top of the head is flattened and separated from the sides by a ridge extending from the eyes to the nostrils. The back of the head is slightly broader than the neck and therefore set off from it. The tail is much higher than broad at its root and gradually tapers; the tip is not extended very long. (A regrown, regenerated tail is usually much shorter and less marked).

Coloration and markings are highly variable depending on the individual, sex, age stage, and season (males!). Often a "ladder-like" pattern of markings consisting of light lateral lines (parietal bands) and dark brown "transverse sprouts" (dorsal spots) with brown interspaces runs down the middle of the back and tail. In the middle as well as laterally over the dorsal spots mostly whitish, interrupted longitudinal lines (occipital line as well as parietal lines) run. The ground color of the upper head, tail and limbs is also brownish and the spots of the flanks are also white-cored. During the mating season (until June/July), the males show green colored head, rump and belly; especially in southwestern Germany, there are also animals that appear almost entirely green. Red-backed specimens are another distinctive feature. The underparts are yellowish and spotless in females, green with black spots in males. Juveniles have brownish coloration, often with conspicuous eye spots on the back and sides.

Habitat

Sand lizards are anthropogenically oriented species with respect to their habitat structures. They inhabit lean biotopes such as dry forest edges, railroad embankments, heathlands, dunes, quarries, gravel pits, wildlife gardens, and similar habitats with an alternation of open, loosely vegetated sections and more densely vegetated areas. In cooler areas, occurrences are limited to sites favored for warmth. Elements such as dead wood and old grass are also important.

The text is a translation of an excerpt from Wikipedia (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zauneidechse). On wikipedia the text is available under a „Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike“ licence. Status: 26 May 2021