When we think of lizards our minds usually drift to deserts, sun-washed landscapes, or tropical climes. But these reptiles also dwell in the more temperate conditions right on our doorstep. The UK has three native species of lizard: the colourful, yet rare, sand lizard which haunts sand dunes and coastal systems; the slow worm whose legless form means it’s often misidentified as a snake, but whose blinking eyelids and tail-shedding tendencies when threatened confirm its lizard status; and, my personal favourite, the common lizard – smaller than the sand lizard and less snake-like than the slow worm.
Growing up on the edges of the New Forest, I spent a lot of time exploring open patches of woodland or walking across the heath, both ideal common-lizard-spotting locations. My first few encounters were…
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The Simple Things (Digital) - 1 Issue, August 2023