Sand Lizard
Lacerta agilis
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Sand Lizard is one of Britain's most spectacular reptiles and one of the most important reasons Ainsdale NNR exists. Breeding males in spring are vivid emerald-green on the flanks — extraordinary colouration unlike any other British reptile. The Sefton Coast population is one of the largest in Britain and a National Trust/Natural England conservation priority. They require open, bare, south-facing sand for egg-laying (the sun incubates the eggs) and are highly sensitive to habitat structure. Careful dune management — creating and maintaining bare sand slopes — is done specifically for them.
At a Glance
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Lacertidae |
| Habitat | Open mobile dune · South-facing bare sand slope · Dune heath edge |
| Diet | Invertebrates — beetles, ants, grasshoppers, spiders |
| UK population | Extremely rare — restricted to a few heathland and dune sites; subject to active conservation programme |
| Sefton Coast | The Sefton Coast holds one of the UK's most important Sand Lizard populations — a National Trust/Natural England conservation priority |
| Conservation | UK Red List |
Where to See It
Open south-facing dune slopes with bare sand at Ainsdale NNR and Birkdale Green Beach. Males vivid green in spring. One of Britain's rarest reptiles.
Identification
Stocky lizard. Male spring: brilliant green flanks, brown-spotted back — unmistakeable. Female and non-breeding male: brown with pale-spotted pattern. Broader, more robust than Common Lizard. Slow, cautious movement.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Visit south-facing open sand slopes at Ainsdale NNR on a warm March or April morning. Sand Lizards emerge early to bask. Move very slowly — they're wary and retreat to cover quickly. May is peak time for vivid male colour.
Conservation Status
UK Red List
This species is of serious conservation concern in the UK. Its presence on the Sefton Coast is important for local and national monitoring and habitat management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Sand Lizard so important on the Sefton Coast?
The Sefton Coast holds one of the UK's largest Sand Lizard populations — a species that has been lost from almost all of England except a few heathland and dune sites. The combination of open, south-facing sand slopes (for egg incubation) and insect-rich dune grassland provides near-perfect habitat. Active dune management — maintaining bare sand, controlling scrub encroachment — is done partly to sustain this population.
Why do male Sand Lizards turn green?
Male Sand Lizards develop vivid emerald-green flanks during the breeding season (April–June). This colouration is testosterone-driven and functions both to attract females and to signal territorial status to rival males. Outside the breeding season, the green fades. Females and juveniles are cryptically brown and spotted throughout the year.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.