Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Peter Parrot · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:53 pm Post subject: Sand lizards in Britain

I recently left my girlfriend in a hotel in Devon full of geriatric ravers doing her work whilst I enjoyed myself looking for sand lizards in the next county. Laughing

It was at one of my old haunts and I was looking forward to seeing how the colony were doing as I hadn`t been there for at least 10 years. The habitat is ideal for them as it has both mature and young heather, south facing banks, and the bare patches of sand in the sun that are so vital for the females egg laying. So first up are some habitat pics.
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Peter Parrot · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:25 pm Post subject:

It was ideal weather, and I am pleased to say that within two minutes of arrival I had seen my first male sand lizard, in full breeding colours. I saw another almost straight away, and ended up seeing around forty individuals. There were both common lizards and slow worms on the same site too, though sand lizards were by far the most obvious animals on the site. In one 12ft square area I saw three adult female sand lizards, two male commons, a female common and a slow worm. Female sand lizards appeared to outnumber males about four to one. This , in my opinion was because at this time of year, the heavily gravid females need to bask more , so appear to be more abundant as they are on display more. If I remember rightly, at the beginning of the season, I always used to see more males which seem to leave hibernation earlier than the females.
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YSBRYDOLI POBL, GWELLA LLEOEDD
INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
www.btcv.org
Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
www.btcvcymru.org
Llinell Gymorth / Helpline: 08702 40 48 41

Rickeezee · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:35 pm Post subject:

Wicked! WELL DONE MATE!
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Peter Parrot · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:44 pm Post subject:

I saw at least three females digging their egg chambers too.
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YSBRYDOLI POBL, GWELLA LLEOEDD
INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
www.btcv.org
Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
www.btcvcymru.org
Llinell Gymorth / Helpline: 08702 40 48 41

Jas · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:02 pm Post subject:

What a day! how long was you looking for pete. Very Happy

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Peter Parrot · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:19 pm Post subject:

Hi Jas. I was there a good few hours. I spent most of my time sitting still and letting them get on with it in front of me. I have great memories from this site, and remember when I lived there before that earlier in the season, male sand lizards would chase each other across my feet as I sat there still. Hell of a feeling!
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YSBRYDOLI POBL, GWELLA LLEOEDD
INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
www.btcv.org
Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
www.btcvcymru.org
Llinell Gymorth / Helpline: 08702 40 48 41

Jas · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:28 pm Post subject:

The males look superb, will be good to go back in a couple of months when all the eggs have hatched.
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Stuart · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:30 pm Post subject:

Great pics Peter..sounds like you had fun mate..
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Morbid · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:38 pm Post subject:

Very good pictures!!!

Thanks for sharing.
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Peter Parrot · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:38 pm Post subject:

I will try and get down there again later in the year Jas Very Happy

_________________
YSBRYDOLI POBL, GWELLA LLEOEDD
INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES
www.btcv.org
Visit our website - Gwelwch ein Gwefan
www.btcvcymru.org
Llinell Gymorth / Helpline: 08702 40 48 41