Living Vicariously Through the Viviparous Lizard
The viviparous lizard, also known as the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), is a species of lizard native to northern Eurasia, from the Alps and the Carpathians in Europe and the Gobi Desert in Asia up to the Arctic Circle. In fact, they are the northernmost species of lizard in the world. They are found in a variety of open habitats including grasslands, peat bogs, dunes, and sparse forests, as well as rural human developments and gardens.
Viviparous lizards are named for their unique reproductive method. Populations in the southern extent of their range are oviparous, producing eggs, but populations farther north are viviparous, giving birth to live young. In both cases, clutch size can vary between 4 to 11 offspring.
Mating begins in April and continues throughout the spring. Males and females shed their skin before beginning courtship, and males then select their partner based on her color; the more dull, the better. Both sexes will have multiple mates throughout the season. After mating, females lay their eggs in a nest built in vegetation close to water. Eggs and pregnant females share an incubation period of three months, and after emerging the young are fully independent. Juveniles take about 2 years to reach full maturity, and individuals may live up to 6 years in the wild.
In colder regions, common lizards hibernate under leaf litter from October to March. When they emerge, they are active mainly during the day. Some adults may share a territory, but they are not actively social. Z. vivipara prey on a range of insects including flies, spiders, cicadas, and larvae. Due to their small size, common lizards are a prime target for birds of prey, crows, snakes, shrikes, hedgehogs, shrews, foxes, and domestic cats.
Viviparous lizards range from 10-15 cm (3.9-5.9 in) in length and 2 to 5 g (0.07-0.17 oz) in weight. Both sexes are dull in color, typically brown, grey, or olive, but males sport a row of white dots along their sides and bright yellow, orange, green, or blue undersides. Females can also have yellow or orange patches along their sides, but they are not as vivid in color.
Conservation status: Common lizards have the widest distribution of any lizard species, and are abundant throughout their range. They can be found in urban areas. As a result, the IUCN has classified the species as Least Concern.
Photos
Jörg Hempel
Helen Kitson
Philip Mark Osso
