British Reptiles and Amphibians 



around Asia Minor, and it is likewise reported as 

 breeding in several parts of Northern Africa. 



It is a small reptile, averaging some 6 to 8 inches. It 

 is an attractively coloured and graceful little creature ; the 

 variety of colouring in different specimens, indeed, has 

 been the means of giving some writers the notion that 

 there exist more than one variety of Wall Lizard. 

 The general coloration is greyish - brown over the 

 upper parts, with dark markings here and there, over- 

 spread with a reddish-green lustre. Beneath, the parts 

 range from white to red, many examples being yellow 

 and others pink in colour. The young are hatched 

 from eggs, and it is said that the period of hibernation 

 is short, the winter sleep not being profound, for 

 Lacerta muralis is sometimes seen basking on the sunny 

 days of winter, before the time has arrived for its usual 

 spring appearance. In regions by the Mediterranean, 

 where this Lizard greatly abounds, there are few walls 

 upon which specimens may not be seen running up and 

 down in quest of insect food, or basking in the warmth 

 of the sunshine. It possesses toes with sharp claws, 

 which enable it to climb walls that are quite vertical ; 

 it is exceedingly nimble and moves with great speed. 

 Its nimbleness is a means of safety, and it has the 

 additional protection ensuing upon the manner in which 

 its colouring blends with its usual surroundings. 



The Lizards mentioned in this chapter, as well as 

 others not indigenous to Britain, and which can be 



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