Lengthy lizard survey

MOST people will, at some stage, have seen the common lizard which is regarded as an important animal in Ireland, being our only native reptile species.

It gives birth to live young, a rarity in the reptile world in which most species lay eggs to reproduce. The Irish Wildlife Trust has launched a pilot Irish lizard survey to learn more about the creature.

The lizard is found in areas such as bogs, coastal sites, uplands, sand dunes, hedgerows and gardens — any place it can find that’s suitable for basking. It can grow to anything from 10cm to 18cm and hunts insects, spiders. It has a long body, short legs and a long, tapering tail, which is about 60% of its total length.