British Reptiles and Amphibians 



haunts. L. vivipara is thus compelled to seek an 

 environment which is distasteful to L. agilis. 



SAND LIZARD (Lacerta agilis, Plate V.). 



For many years this species was confounded with 

 the Viviparous, or common species. The Sand Lizard 

 savours of the sands, no doubt, and hence its popular 

 name. Seldom or never is it found in mountainous 

 districts, although quite a number of the higher ranges 

 of hills seem quite inviting as a habitat. However, 

 the Sand Lizard really has a very limited area, and, in 

 Britain, would appear to be solely confined to Southern 

 England. Even in such counties as Surrey and Dorset, 

 with perhaps the adjacent counties, its distribution is 

 extremely local. It is found in Southern Sweden and 

 is common in suitable habitats in Central Europe. 



Having said this, it is quite evident that the appear- 

 ance of the Sand Lizard north of the Midlands would 

 be " copy " for the morning newspapers ; and if found 

 north of the Tweed, still more " copy " would likely 

 be made of the "find." 



Yet not a few instances of this reptile having been 

 identified north of London are on record. Students, 

 however, have questioned such statements, affirming 

 that these records refer merely to large, light brown 

 coloured specimens of the common or Viviparous 

 species. And doubtless it is so. The Viviparous 

 species is by no means unlike the Sand Lizard, only 

 the latter is larger, and its colours lend themselves 



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