VIVIPAROUS LIZARD

SCIENTIFIC NAME :-    Lacerta vivipara

OCCURRENCE :-           Arctic Scandinavia,Britain,S. to N.Spain,N.Asia

HABITAT :-                  Meadows, Marshes,Open woodland

SIZE :-                         Length 14 to 18 cm

FAMILY :-                    Lacertidae

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS :-

1. It is an alert and agile , elongate , long tailed lizard with large scales on the head and belly.
2. Its coloration varies over its wide range but it is commonly grey or yellowish-brown with pale yellow spots and dark stripes on the back.
3. It is a good climber and swimmer and solitary creature except during hibernation and mating season.
4. It feeds on insects , spiders , earthworms , slugs and other small invertebrates.
5. The 5-8 young develop inside the female feeding on the yolks of their shells fully formed , as they are expelled from the body or soon afterwards.