The common lizard is Irelands only reptile. occurs in drier environments, including open woodland, meadows, moorland, heath land, fens, dunes, rocks, roadsides, hedgerows and gardens. It lives mainly on the ground, although it may climb onto rocks, logs and low-growing vegetation. The length of the lizards body is less than 12 cm (5 in) (excluding the tail). The tail is up to twice as long as the body, although it is often partially or wholly lost. The limbs are short, and the head is rather round. Males have more slender bodies than females. The neck and the tail are thick. The main colour is typically medium brown, but it can be also grey, olive brown or black. Females may have dark stripes on their flanks and down the middle of their backs. Sometimes females also have light-coloured stripes, or dark and light spots along the sides of their backs. Most males and some females have dark spots in their undersides. Males have brightly coloured undersides to typically yellow or orange, but more rarely red. Females have paler, whitish under parts. The throat is white, sometimes blue. In early spring, late autumn, and cool summer days, it basks in the sun to reach its optimum body temperature, which is about 30 °C (86 °F). Lizards feed on invertebrates, mostly small insects. Males reach sexual maturity at two years old, females at three years old. Lizards mate in April or May. Males take females in their jaws before mating to if the female is not interested, she will bite the male fiercely. The offspring develop for about three months inside the female. Lizards give birth to live young, an adaptation to a cool climate, but some southern populations lay eggs. The three to 10 young (or eggs) are usually produced in July. In Ireland lizards begin hibernation in September or October usually underground or in log piles. Hibernation ends about mid-February.
