British Reptiles : Lizards 



Besides Snakes, there are other natural enemies of this 

 and other Lizards : they have to be on their guard 

 against the ravages of Hawks, Shrikes, and Crows ; 

 they could not possibly have survived in the struggle 

 for existence had they not been endowed with acute 

 senses. They can hear the slightest sound, and have 

 keen vision. Their security lies in quick flight, not in 

 warfare. They are extremely nimble, and run along 

 the ground in a jerky fashion. Their speed is due as 

 much to an undulatory movement of the body, the 

 ventral surface of which touches the ground, as to their 

 legs, which are short and feeble. 



Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis y Plate IV.) 



The Green Lizard is indigenous to Central and 

 Southern Europe, being found in the Mediterranean 

 Countries and in the more genial parts of Germany ; 

 but it exists in Jersey, and is thus claimed as an item 

 in our British fauna. Time and again examples have 

 been located upon the mainland, some of these being 

 pretty far North. All the same, the Channel Islands 

 must be considered the real home of this species when 

 it is spoken of as British. Any specimens found upon 

 the mainland may be looked upon as cc escapes." In 

 other words, these may be considered as having got free 

 from some public or private vivarium, or are the lost 

 property of some of the numerous dealers who cater 

 for this class of business. 



This species is comparatively large, measuring, on 



B. R. 25 4 



