Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Lacerta ("lizard") agilis ("agile")

Adult female Sand Lizard (subspecies L. a. agilis) at Non-public Site, UK - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: Lacerta agilis agilis
Weight: 12g  /  Length: 25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Much larger and rarer than the common lizard, the Sand Lizard is a specialist of heath and dunes which feeds upon insects.  In breeding colours the males become bright green making them easy to tell apart from the always brown common lizards, but the pattern and size should differentiate them if you familiarise yourself with it.  They are a protected species only found in a limited number of sites in the UK.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Lacerta
SUBSPECIES: L .a. agilis, L. a. argus, L. a. exigua

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A very rare and local resident

 - Several individuals from a reintroduction scheme seen on a site not known to the public

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List. RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator)

OTHER NAMES: Water Monitor, Malayan Water Monitor, Rice Lizard

Latin Etymology: Varanus ("dragon/lizard beast") salvator ("saviour")

Adult Asian Water Monitor (subspecies V. s. macromaculatus) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Varanus salvator macromaculatus

Weight: 19.5kg  /  Length: 150-200cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Water Monitor is a huge species of lizard - the second largest of the entire family after the Komodo Dragon, and with a far bigger range spreading across all of Southern Asia from India to Indonesia.  They are powerful opportunistic predators which will feed on eggs and live small food.  As the name suggests, they are also powerful swimmers and spend much of their time in water - using their powerful tail to propell them.  I only saw them in Malacca, a single large adult on the first evening on a short walk, followed by a number of young ones on an early morning walk along the same route the next morning - basking on the rocks mere feet away from humans.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
SUBSPECIES: V. s. salvator, V. s. andamanensis, V. s. bivittatus, V. s. komaini, V. s. macromaculatus, V. s.ziegleri

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Biawak Air ("Water Lizard")

A locally common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several near the river mouth in Malacca

SINGAPORE - A common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Seen in many locations, particularly abundant atSungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus)

OTHER NAMES: Eyed Lizard, Jeweled Lacerta

Latin Etymology: Timon (?) lepidus ("neat" or "graceful")

Adult Occelated Lizard (subspecies T. l. lepidus) at Laguna Campillo, Spain - April 2016

Featured Subspecies: Timon lepidus lepidus
Weight: 500g  /  Length: 30-60cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

The Ocellated Lizard is the largest lizard in Europe, a species found throughout Iberia and Southern France.  It is a fairly omnivorous species, primarily feeding on beetles but will more broadly feed on anything it can find including bird's eggs, small vertebrates and plant matter as required.  The way to differentiate the males from the females are the blue spots on the flanks, but this individual wasn't interested in showing itself well

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Timon
SUBSPECIES: T. l. ibericus, T. l. lepidus, T. l. nevadensis, T. l. oteroi 

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish -  Lagarto Ocelado ("Ocellated Lizard")

A widespread resident

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A single individual at Laguna Campillo


Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Striped Skink (Lipinia vittigera)

OTHER NAMES: Banded Lipinia, Yellow-striped Tree Skink
Latin Etymology: Lipinia vittigera

Adult Common Striped Skink (subspecies L. v. vittigera) at Angkor Thom, Cambodia - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Lipinia vittigera vittigera
Weight: ?  /  Length: 10cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

While we headed towards the ruins of Banteay Kdei, a slight dash of colour caught my eye on a nearby tree; this beautiful little skink.  Skinks are one of the more distinctive genuses of lizards; generally characterised by smooth features, comparatively short limbs and rounded faces.  This species was my first skink I'd seen and also the most colourful reptile I'd seen to date - I only got a few moments to enjoy it though as it very rapidly retreated to a tiny hole in the bark of the tree.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Lipinia
SUBSPECIES: L. v. vittigera, L. v. microcercum 

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ?
A fairly common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: One near Angkor Thom

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Sun Skink (Eutropis multifasciata)

OTHER NAMES: East Indian Brown Mabuya, Many-lined Sun Skink, Golden Skink
Latin Etymology: Eutropis ("good keel") multifasciata ("multi-bundled")

Adult Common Sun Skink (subspecies E. m. multifasciata) at Siem Reap, Cambodia - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Eutropis multifasciata multifasciata
Weight: ?  /  Length: 35cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

This species was seen as we walked the open-air War Musuem of Cambodia; a simple little lizard slinking througgh the leaf litter, surrounded by the remnants of tools of death.  They're a fairly common species with a substantial range, but it's appearance in this particular somber place was welcome; a little dash of life in a place created so we never forget the death.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Eutropis
SUBSPECIES: E. m. balinensis, E. m. multifasciata, E. m tjendikianensis

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ?
A fairly common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: One seen at Siem Reap

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Changeable Lizard (Calotes versicolor)

OTHER NAMES: Variable Agama, Oriental Garden Lizard, Bloodsucker
Latin Etymology: Calotes (?) versicolor ("variable colours")

Adult female Changeable Lizard (subspecies C. v. versicolor) at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Calotes versicolor versicolor
Weight: ?  /  Length: 37cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

Agamas are an Old-World relation of the iguanas, but generally much smaller.  They are a much more "upright" lizard than all previous species I've encountered; on the one hand this means they are less adept at climbing flat surfaces than geckoes and wall lizards, but allows for faster running and improved climbing on bushes and trees.  In Singapore, they are an introduced species that has displaced other local lizards. The alternate name of "bloodsucker" comes from the fact that in breeding season, the males gain a bright red underside gives a look as if they had been feeding on blood.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Calotes
SUBSPECIES: C. v. farooqi, C. v. versicolor

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A common resident

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several seen at Gardens by the Bay

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Guadarrama Wall Lizard (Podarcis guadarramae)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Podarcis (?) guadarrama ("Spanish")

Adult Guadarrama Wall Lizard (Podarcis guadarramae) at Toledo, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies - Podarcis guadarramae guadarramae
Weight: 3.7g  /  Length: 15-20cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A fairly common resident of Central Spain, it is found in a variety of habitats, including in Cities in fairly open places where they can bask, including rocks, stone plazas, walls and even manhole covers.  It is very variable in colouration and patterning across its range, which meant that identifying this species was a tricky, there are other species in the area with similar appearances.  This particular lizard was living on the rocky steps of a small plaza next to a church in Toledo - scurrying under the slabs whenever it felt threatened.  Formerly considered part of the Spanish Wall Lizard complex, more recent studies have split many of these species.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Podarcis
SUBSPECIES: P. g. guadarramae, P. g. lusitanicus

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Lagartija Ibérica ("Wall Lizard")

Common to locally abundant resident associated with Granite outcrops.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: A number seen in Madrid and Toledo
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Several seen in at El Pardo

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Slowworm (Anguis fragilis)

OTHER NAMES: Common Slow Worm, Deaf Adder, Blindworm
Latin Etymology: Anguis ("snake") fragilis ("fragile")

Adult female Slowworm (subspecies A. f. fragilis) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - July 2019

Featured Subspecies: Anguis fragilis fragilis
Weight: < 100g  /  Length: < 50cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

Despite the leglessness of this species - it is not a snake, but rather a member a family of a group of lizards which independantly lost their tails.  They are secretive and live much of their lives hiding beneath rocks and logs.  Primarily feeding on invertibrates like slugs and worms, and have unusually smooth scales for a lizard to enable their serpentine locomotion.  They are among the most long lived animal species in the UK, with a captive specimen known to have lived for at least 54 years.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Anguidae
Genus: Anguis
SUBSPECIES: A. f. fragilis, A. f. colchicus 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An widespread but secretive resident.

 - Seen at Trevose Head  in July 2019. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara)

OTHER NAMES: Viviparous Lizard
Latin Etymology: Zootoca (?) vivipara ("live bearing")

Adult female Common Lizard (subspecies Z. v. pannonica) at Fermyn Woods, Northants - July 2011

Featured Subspecies: Zootoca vivipara pannonica
Weight: 5g  /  Length: 13-20cm
STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The common lizard is the most common of all Britain's reptiles and in most places, by far the easiest to find. They are fairly small, with most individuals reaching no more than 15cm although adult males do occasionally reach 20cm. As with most reptiles they are cold blooded and therefore can most easily be found basking on exposed places to warm up in the sunlight - these locations will vary significantly with the habitat.  I've seen them basking on rocks, on top or gorse and heather, on fallen trees and even on man made surfaces like wooden boardways over wet ground.  They come in a slight range of colours, but generally brown and cream as in the image. It is also notably the most northerly living of all reptiles in the world and as such it's adaptations include the ability to give birth to live young. 

Related Species: 
Order: Squamata 
Family: Lacertidae 
Genus: Zootoca
SUBSPECIES: Z. v. louislantzi, Z.v. pannoncica, Z.v. sachalinensis, Z. v. vivipara, Z. v. carniolica - 

Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - Locally abundant common resident
 - Lizards seen at sites including Rainham Marshes, Fermyn Woods, Geddington and Trevose Head.

Further Notes: BirdGuides, IUCN Red List. RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Sicilian Wall Lizard (Podarcis waglerianus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Podarcis ("swift foot") 

Adult Sicillian Wall Lizard (Podarcis waglerianus) at  Syracuse, Sicily, Italy - May 2018

Featured Subspecies: Podacrcis waglerianus waglerianus
Weight: 4g  /  Length: 9cm  
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the name, not the only Wall Lizard in Italy and indeed less common around humans that the more broadly distributed Italian Wall Lizard.  The differences are subtle but Sicillian Wall Lizard has green which extends beyond the back legs and a subtly different shape.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Podarcis
SUBSPECIES: P. w. waglerianus, P. w. marettimensis

- Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian - Lucertola siciliana ("Sicilian Lizard")

A widespread resident in Sicily.

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  Seen in Syracuse.

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)

OTHER NAMES: Blue-belly
Latin Etymology: Sceloporus ("leg pore") occidentalis (of the West)

Adult Western Fence Lizard (subspecies S. o. bocourtii) at Roy's Redwoods, California - Septmember 2022

Featured Subspecies: Coast Range fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis bocourtii)
Weight: 11g  /  Length: 21cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The ubiquitous lizard species of the Bay Area, and as the name suggests, found in a huge range including much of the West, they are a species that adapts well to many habitats. Despite the drab upper body of the individuals I saw, they also possess a bright blue underside to varying degree between individuals, and some populations even are bright blue and turquoise all over.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Phrynosomatidae
Genus: Sceloporus
SUBSPECIES: S. o. biseriatus, S. o. bocourtii, S. o. longipes, S. o. occidentalis, S. o. taylori

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
A common resident of the West Coast.
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen in virtally all locations.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica)

OTHER NAMES: Common Wall Gecko, Crocodile Gecko, European Common Gecko
Latin Etymology: Tarentola (Taranto - a City in Italy) mauritanica ("from Mauritania")

Adult Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) at Siracusa, Sicily, Italy - May 2018

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: 12g  /  Length: 15cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Moorish Gecko is a common and distinctive looking reptile found the Western end of the Mediterranean.  They have a distinctive spiney appearance that gains them the alternate name of Crocodile Gecko.  They are highly variable in colour across their range, although the ones seen in Sicily had a dark brown colour and stuck to rocky habitats.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Phyllodactylidae
Genus: Tarentola
SUBSPECIES: ?

- Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian - Geco Comune ("Common Gecko")

An common resident

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  Several locations throughout the Island.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Italian Wall Lizard (Podarcis sicula)

OTHER NAMES: Ruin Lizard, Instanbul Lizard
Latin Etymology: Podarcis ("swift foot") sicula ("dagger")

Adult Male Italian Wall Lizard (subspecies. P. s. sicula) at Catania, Sicily, Italy - May 2018

Featured Subspecies: Podarcis sicula sicula
Weight: ?  /  Length: 15-25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very common species in Italy - found in both urban and rural environments, often in fairly densely populated colonies.  They are also very variable in colour, being found in various combinations of patterns and plain colour gradients making it possible to find drastically different individuals next to each other.  It is also noted for being very adaptable, and quickly evolving to new environments it they find themselves in, with physically distinct populations having been noted as developing in as little as 20 years.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Podarcis
SUBSPECIES:  P. s. adriaticus, P. s. aemiliani, P. s. amparoae, P. s. astorgae, P. s. bagnolensis, P. s. bolei, P. s. calabresiae, P. s. campestris, P. s. caporiaccoi, P. s. cattaroi, P. s. cettii, P. s. ciclopica, P. s. coeruleus, P. s. cucchiarai, P. s. dupinici, P. s. fiumanoideus, P. s. flavigulus, P. s. gallensis, P. s. hadzii, P. s. hieroglyphicus, P. s. insularus, P. s. klemmeri, P. s. kolombatovici, P. s. laganjensis, P. s. lanzai, P. s. latastei, P. s. massinei, P. s. monaconensis, P. s. nikolici, P. s. palmarolae, P. s. pasquinii, P. s. paulae, P. s. pelagosae, P. s. pirosoensis, P. s. pohlibensis, P. s. premudanus, P. s. premudensis, P. s. pretneri, P. s. radovanovici, P. s. ragusae, P. s. salfii, P. s. samogradi, P. s. sanctinicolai, P. s. sanctistephani, P. s. sicula, P. s. tyrrhenicus, P. s. vesseljuchi.

- Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian - Lucertola campestre ("Rural Lizard")

An abundant resident

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  Very common throughout.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus,  IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Roughtail Rock Agama (Laudakia stellio)

OTHER NAMES: Starred Agama
Latin Etymology: Laudakia (?) stellio ("starred")

Adult Roughtail Rock Agama (Laudakia stellio) at Side, Antalya, Turkey - March 2025

Featured Subspecies: Laudakia stellio daani
Weight: 98g  /  Length: 35cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species whose range extends largely over Turkey and Syria although it does also occur in Syria, Greece, Lebannon and Iraq. Like other agamid lizards it is able to change its colour to some degree depend on it's mood. As the name suggests, it has a decidedly thorny skin on its tail  

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Laudakia
SUBSPECIES: L. s. daani, L. s. stellio

 - Sighting Locations -

TURKEY  -   Turkish: Dikenli keler ("Spiny Lizard")
 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - Several around Side

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)

OTHER NAMES: American Iguana, Common Green Iguana 
Latin Etymology: Iguana (from name in Taino language) iguana (from name in Taino language)

Adult male Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) in breeding colours at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Iguana iguana iguana
Weight: 1.2-4kg  /  Length: cm 
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Perhaps the most iconic of all lizard species, the green iguana is a very widespread species found natively from Mexico to the Northern edge of Argentina, as well as non-native populations in locations such as Florida, the Caribbean and South East Asia. It is among the very largest of all lizards by both length and weight, exceeded by only a few of the largest monitors in length.  They are primarily herbiovorous, though will occassionally consume other foods depending on availability. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Squamata 
Family: Iguanidae 
Genus: Iguana
SUBSPECIES: I. i. iguana, I. i. insularis, I. i. melanoderma, I. i. sanctaliciae 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 
A common resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and San Jose

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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