Common lizard Common lizards (also known as viviparous lizard) can live almost anywhere, but they prefer reasonably warm places with
good basking sites and are frequently found on the stony ballast around railway lines. Adults can reach 14 cms and
colouration can include shades of brown, grey and dark green. They are insect eaters and also eat small snails.
Losing their tails Lizards have the ability to 'self amputate' their tails for protection. The process is known as 'autotomy'. Here's what
happens. The tail bones have a special weak spot where a contraction of the muscles at that point causes the bone
to break and the tail to become loose. The separated tail continues to wriggle for several minutes which holds the
attention of the predator while the tail-less lizard makes its escape. The lizard will grow a new tail,
(this can take many months) but this is usually more stumpy than the original and less flexible. Slow worms are also
capable of autotomy, but are rarely able to grow a new tail afterwards.
Little Lizard, Hope it was quick
