The common lizard is Ireland’s only reptile, and I was lucky enough to see one recently as I made my way down a bog boreen. It was quite early, and so I got a chance to observe this creature for a while before it darted away.

You see, as lizards are reptiles, they depend on the heat of the air around them to control their internal temperature. They can sometimes be seen in the sun and if they get too hot, they head for a spot.

The lizard is between 10cm and 15cm long. It has a long body, short legs and a tapering tail. It is quite good at and can be grey, brown, copper or green. It has a black line down the middle of its back and black on its body.

The common lizard can be found in many habitats in Ireland. They like as the humidity helps their growth rate. Lizards are diurnal and eat insects, spiders, slugs, snails and earthworms. They on their prey and stun it by shaking it before swallowing it whole.

Their body temperature drops at night, so until they heat up, they can be a bit and that is when they are vulnerable to predators. Birds of prey like will swoop on them at this time. Stoats and mink will eat them also.

To give themselves a chance of survival the lizard has developed a great trick. Its will break if it is caught by a predator and the lizard will escape. It soon grows a new tail as good as the one it lost.