British Reptiles : Lizards 



in any way place it within the realms of snakedom. 

 Thus it will be seen that external appearance is often 

 of little value when it comes to actually placing an 

 animal under its specific heading. 



British reptiles are represented by eight species. 

 These are the Slow- worm, Viviparous, Sand, Green, 

 and Wall Lizards, and the Smooth Snake, Ringed 

 Snake, and Adder. These eight animals possess certain 

 common and peculiar characteristics that link them 

 together as being all of one class. The fewness of the 

 British reptiles becomes the more noticeable when we 

 remember that there are nearly 4,000 different reptiles 

 in the world, of which nearly 2,000 are Lizards. 



The Slow- worm (Anguis fragilis, Plate I.). 



This is found all over the mainland of our Island, but 

 does not seem to be indigenous to Ireland. As a rule 

 our reptiles are seldom seen early or late in the year, and 

 perhaps the Slow-worm appears first, and is seen later 

 than the other seven enumerated. It is what is termed 

 " ovoviviparous," which means that it brings forth its 

 young alive. The number may range from six to 

 twice that number at a time. 



This reptile on being touched has the faculty of 

 stiffening its whole body, and if roughly handled a 

 portion of its tail will break off. This deleted portion 

 can be replaced by a fresh growth, more or less a 

 replica of the original. 



The adult Slow-worm dines on small Slugs, Worms, 



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